nuclear-news

France’s nuclear problem – an industry in disarray

Les Echos 21st Aug 2017, Stephane L’Homme: In his recent column published by the Circle, Mr.
Prudhomme lists various arguments to try to rehabilitate nuclear energy and
challenge the announced closure of many reactors. The problem is that the
author argues as one could still do 15 or 20 years ago, invoking a mythical
atom: “France is a nuclear giant”, “Our considerable nuclear know-how”, and
so on. Mr Prudhomme thus seems to be unaware that the nuclear industry in
France and in the world is in a catastrophic situation, illustrated by the
bankruptcy of the two of its emblematic companies, French Areva and
American Westinghouse, Choke its main shareholder, the Japanese Toshiba.

If it is impossible to know today what other bad surprises – counted in
billions – reserves the Areva case, what about the EDF file? The national
electrician is not only confronted with the advanced disintegration of the
58 current reactors, whose ruinous renovation is certainly impossible to
finance, but also the disaster of his own EPR in Flamanville (Manche).

The situation is so dramatic that the Nuclear Safety Authority is being urged
to validate the reactor vessel despite the serious defects it presents. It
is also an opportunity to remind Mr. Prudhomme that, by way of
“Considerable nuclear know-how”, the French atom is involved in one of the
worst industrial scandals of all time: thousands of nuclear parts –
including the famous tank of the EPR – were poorly manufactured in Areva
forges At Le Creusot, and often covered by falsified security certificates.
https://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/cercle/cercle-172945-la-methode-coue-ne-sauvera-pas-lindustrie-nucleaire-2108694.php

August 23, 2017 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general