France to Construct New Nuclear Power Plants

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would build new nuclear energy plants in order to better meet growing energy and environmental challenges. TheLocal.fr reports.

“To guarantee France’s energy independence and achieve our objectives, in particular carbon neutrality in 2050, we will for the first time in decades relaunch the construction of nuclear reactors in our country,” the French president said in an address to the nation on Tuesday.

“If we want to pay for our energy at reasonable prices, we need carbon-free energy,” Macron said. “These investments will allow us to step up and meet our commitments as the COP26 in Glasgow closes,” he added.

France relies on nuclear power for nearly 72 percent of its electricity needs.