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Strikes, maintenance – closures of France’s nuclear plants

France buys electricity as its nuclear plants are hit by strike Vancouver Sun, By Henry Samuel, The Daily Telegraph October 21, 2010 France was forced to start importing electricity Thursday as unions announced that strikes would spread into the next two weeks.The unions said production had been cut at four nuclear power plants because of a 10-day rolling strike, while at least 12 of France’s 58 reactors are closed for maintenance……………………France buys electricity as its nuclear plants are hit by strike

October 22, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , | Leave a comment

France’s EDF takes share loss, with cancellation of USA project

EDF shares fall on nuclear news The Daily Record, , October 11, 2010By Associated Press PARIS — Shares in Electricite de France SA slid Monday after the French state-owned utility’s U.S. partner, Constellation Energy Group, pulled out of a project to build the first of a new generation of nuclear power plants in Maryland.

The announcement dealt a serious setback to EDF’s ambitions to lead a nuclear renaissance in the United States. The company is the world’s largest electric power producer.EDF shares slipped as much as 1.5 percent in early trading and midafternoon were down 1.1 percent at $43.43 on the Paris stock exchange — and were the biggest loser on the benchmark CAC-40 index.
An EDF spokeswoman said the future of the multibillion-dollar Calvert Cliffs 3 plant project is unclear after Baltimore-based Constellation said it would drop out over risks linked to the high cost of a $7.5 billion loan guarantee… » EDF shares fall on nuclear news

October 12, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , | Leave a comment

Sarkozy’s nuclear sales promotion to Africa – and everybody else

Senegal working with France on nuclear plant, IC Publications, 9 March 2010, Senegal is preparing to build a nuclear power plant with French help, its energy minister said Tuesday at a conference hosted by France to promote civilian use of atomic energy.The project could make Senegal Africa’s second nuclear energy producing country after South Africa, which has two French-designed reactors at Koeberg, near Cape Town…..President Nicolas Sarkozy opened the 65-nation conference in Paris on Monday by offering French know-how to build nuclear reactors, which he said would be a safe and efficient source of clean energy all over the world.IC Publications

October 7, 2010 Posted by | France, spinbuster | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

France’s socialised nuclear power a handicap, not a miracle

Widely Misunderstood in U.S., the French “Nuclear Miracle” is Plagued by Fast-Rising Reactor Costs and “Crowding Out” of Renewables, Vermont Law School -September 9, 2010 C ooper Analysis Shows French Approach Touted by Some For U.S. Reactor Build-Up Is a Failed Model; U.S. Wind & Solar Industries Would Suffer Under Embrace of “French Nuclear Socialism.”SOUTH ROYALTON, VT.  – The so-called “French nuclear miracle” embraced by some U.S. policymakers as a model for this nation is a misconception masking a pattern of fast-rising nuclear reactor construction costs and a “crowding out” of investments in renewable energy, such as wind, solar and hydro-electric power, according to a new study by Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment….

Vermont Law School – VLS Study: Widely Misunderstood in U.S., the French “Nuclear Miracle” is Plagued by Fast-Rising Reactor Costs and “Crowding Out” of Renewables

September 28, 2010 Posted by | France, spinbuster | , , , , , | Leave a comment

France’s heavily subsidised nuclear industry – a costly warning to USA

The French nuclear program has been a state-owned monopoly from the outset, heavily subsidized by the government.  It could not survive in a free market.  By copying the French model – both in its energy choices and its willingness to use public funds to subsidize an industry that has never been self-sustaining – the U.S. is heading down a dangerous path of nuclear socialism.

France’s Nuclear “Miracle” is More Fantasy that Fact,  The Hill, By Mark Cooper – 09/23/10 Among backers of nuclear power development in the U.S., France has long been held out as the model to emulate. Now, as pressure builds on policy makers in Washington to set a new domestic energy course, the French experience once again is being heralded as proof that nuclearpower is the way to go.
Trouble is, France’s nuclear “miracle” is more fantasy than fact.  Continue reading

September 24, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

France’s nuclear socialism – a nightmare, not a miracle

Unlike computers, solar panels, wind turbines and most other high tech projects, nuclear power plants and projects don’t go down in price over time. Instead, the costs escalate, and that’s a recipe for a disaster,

Time to End Nuclear Socialism, Says New Study, Greentech Media, 10 Sept 10, A nuclear plant will cost $7,000 to $10,000 per kilowatt, says Mark Cooper of the University of Vermont. That’s more than wind, solar, storage and other renewables—and the price tag will continue to climb. It shouldn’t be called the French Nuclear Miracle, says Mark Cooper. It’s more like a recurring nightmare. Continue reading

September 10, 2010 Posted by | France, politics | , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Election battle looms over Merkel’s plan to extend nuclear power in Germany

Opposition parties and environmentalists have vowed to fight the planned extension in the lifetime of Germany’s 17 nuclear reactors….the opposition has vowed to challenge this in Germany’s highest court…..Even if the extension becomes law, the opposition Social Democrats (SPD), co-authors with the Greens of 2000’s decision to exit nuclear power, said they will reverse Merkel’s changes if they return to power.

Merkel sets stage for nuclear power battle, Google hosted news, By Simon Sturdee (AFP) – 7 Sept 10, BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday hailed government proposals to postpone Germany’s exit from nuclear power as a “revolution,” setting up what one opposition MP called a “fiery autumn” of protests……. Continue reading

September 8, 2010 Posted by | France, politics | , , | Leave a comment

First step for France to turn from nuclear to renewable energy

this may help chart a new developmental roadmap for the French energy industry, which has until now focused primarily on nuclear energy.

French government to tap potential for renewable energy, istockanalyst.com, 6 Sept 10, France has unveiled a new renewable energy investment program which will see its government provide E1.35 billion to support the development of cutting-edge clean energy technologies. Continue reading

September 7, 2010 Posted by | France, renewable | , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More delays, more costs, with AREVA’s new reactor in France

EDF was asked for modifications of the control platform on the reactor, which is delayed and will cost more than expected.

French Nuclear Watchdog Says EDF Has Problems With Flamanville EPR Liner – Bloomberg, By Tara Patel – Aug 30, 2010 Electricite de France SA, Europe’s biggest power producer, experienced renewed problems with welding quality at the EPR nuclear reactor being built in Normandy, according France’s nuclear safety agency. Continue reading

August 31, 2010 Posted by | France, technology | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

France’s dubious dream of global nuclear power empire

France’s recent nuclear record is so ragged, it may struggle to win orders whatever the ownership structure. A new generation nuclear-power station being build by French state-owned reactor maker Areva in Finland is years behind schedule and nearly 80% over budget. A new EDF plant in France using the same Areva technology is also behind schedule……

France’s Tricky Nuclear Fusion, – WSJ.com, Matthew Curtin, AUGUST 3, 2010 “…..President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to create a French nuclear powerhouse. France believes 250 nuclear power stations will be built worldwide over the next 20 years, requiring total investment of $1 trillion or more. But dominating this market may be harder than Mr. Sarkozy thinks. Continue reading

August 4, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , | Leave a comment

France shows the way to nuclear financial meltdown

Last week, AREVA posted a massive operating loss of 485 million euros for the first half of 2010…..Electricite de France (EDF)  finds itself in a similar predicament. In the first half of 2010, the company saw its profits slashed by almost half.

France leads the way in the nuclear debacle Greenpeace International, by jmckeati – August 2, 2010 If you want to know why the so-called nuclear ‘renaissance’ is never going to happen, you need only look at the news that’s been coming out of France in the last few days. Continue reading

August 3, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

French nuclear firm EDF’s financial woes

“The U.S. provision is bad news,”…… Results were also hurt by “poor availability” of nuclear reactors in France and the U.K……EDF has expanded in Europe, China and the U.S., driving up debt,

EDF Net Income Tumbles 47% After Outlook Dims for Nuclear Project in U.S. – Bloomberg, By Tara Patel – Jul 30, 2010 Electricite de France SA, Europe’s biggest power generator, reported a 47 percent drop in first- half profit on a charge linked to the development of a nuclear reactor in the U.S. and the outlook for low power prices there. Continue reading

July 31, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

French govt tries to settle nuclear power companies’ brawl

“Knives are out, the fight is far from being over,” a person familiar with the matter told Dow Jones Newswires.

‘Knives Are Out’ in French Nuclear Spat – WSJ By Geraldine Amiel, July 28, 2010 The French government Tuesday announced a far-reaching alliance between state-controlled utility Electricite de France and state nuclear engineering group Areva, that makes EDF Chairman and Chief Executive Henri Proglio the country’s undisputed nuclear team leader. Continue reading

July 29, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , | Leave a comment

EDF takeover in France’s nuclear empire?

it has ambitions to dominate the global market, building its latest-generation EPR reactor around the world and introducing it next-generation reactor ATMEA.

French Govt: EDF, Areva In Strategic Nuclear Partnership – WSJ.com-By A.H. Mooradian and Geraldine Amiel, Dow Jones Newswires;PARIS  27 July 2010, –The French government Tuesday announced a far-reaching alliance between State-controlled utility giant Electricite de France (EDF.FR) and State nuclear engineering group Areva SA (CEI.FR), Continue reading

July 28, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Safety problems add to costs, overruns, in AREVA’s new nuclear plants

Areva, the state-controlled French nuclear engineering company, is already battling construction delays and cost overruns at both Flamanville and Olkiluoto, in Finland, where it is building the first of its EPR plants.

Safety Fears Raised at French Reactor, NYTimes.com, By PATRICIA BRETT July 26, 2010, PARIS — Anti-nuclear activists are seeking to halt construction of France’s latest-generation nuclear power plant at Flamanville, on the Normandy coast, arguing that changes introduced to solve problems with the reactor’s fuel pellet cladding have invalidated the plant’s original building permit. Continue reading

July 27, 2010 Posted by | business and costs, France | , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment