What is the nuclear agenda for Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher after the summer break?

The Energy and Climate Programming Act (LPEC), the Safety Bill, public debates and negotiations in Brussels… Discover the French and European nuclear agenda that awaits the French Minister for Energy.

The coming year is going to be a busy one for the Minister for Energy Transition. At a time when France has embarked on a massive decarbonisation of its economy and a reinforcement of its independence through a strong revival of nuclear power, Agnès Pannier-Runacher will have to lead numerous initiatives on the atom at both national and European level.

France: LPEC and safety

Throughout the summer, the French Minister of Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, relied on seven working groups to update the country’s energy strategy. The various recommendations emerging from these working groups should be presented on 12 September. They will be key to drafting the Energy and Climate Act (LPEC) scheduled for the autumn. In accordance with the law of 8 November 2019, the final text should define “the priorities for action of the national energy policy to respond to the ecological and climate emergency”. This represents a major break with the previous law, which aimed to cap nuclear power and close a large number of reactors. The text is due to be submitted to Parliament this autumn.

In the meantime, Agnès Pannier-Runacher will have to tackle the sensitive issue of the ASN/IRSN merger. On 19 July 2023, the Nuclear Policy Council (CPN) gave the Minister the task of adapting nuclear safety to meet the three challenges facing the industry: extending the existing fleet, building the EPR2s and developing innovative small modular reactors. The press release states that the Minister is to “initiate consultations […] to prepare a bill by the autumn”. As a reminder, on 12 July this year, an Opecst report on nuclear safety recommended the creation of “a major independent authority for nuclear safety and radiation protection”.

EPR2: A New Public Debate for 2024

Last June, the project to build two EPR 2 reactors at Penly (Manche) was confirmed following a four-month public debate. In line with the announcement of a six-reactor programme, the Nuclear Policy Council on 19 July validated the project to launch a second pair of EPR 2s at Gravelines (Nord). Following this decision, EDF announced in a press release its intention to apply to the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) at the end of 2023 to organise a public debate during the summer of 2024.

Lively European discussions

Beyond the national context, nuclear energy will be a major topic of discussion in two important European negotiations: the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and the reform of the European electricity market.

Highly symbolic for the decarbonisation of European industry, the NZIA establishes the list of preferred technologies for the development of a decarbonised industry in Europe. In response to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), it will offer the industrial sectors concerned simplified regulatory procedures and easier access to financing. Initially excluded from the category “benefiting from the full range of development facilities”, nuclear power was included in the text thanks to intense negotiations. The Commission’s final draft is expected at the end of the year.

The second text under negotiation concerns the proposed reform of the EU electricity market. Launched by the European Commission on 14 March, it aims to tackle price volatility by offering greater protection to consumers. Expected by the end of the year, the project should also enable future nuclear assets to benefit from stable prices for electricity produced by nuclear power plants under contracts for difference. France would like to extend this mechanism to include existing nuclear assets.

Created at the initiative of Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the European Nuclear Alliance aims to bring together all European countries wishing to rely on nuclear energy. The member countries’ leadership and support will significantly influence the outcome of future European decisions. ■

By Thomas Jaquemet (Sfen)

Copyright: Agnès Pannier Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition – ©Frederic Petry / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP

Final stretch for the start-up of the Flamanville EPR

With commissioning of the Flamanville EPR scheduled for 2024, the French nuclear safety authority (ASN) is completing the consultation phase for this project. The main aim of this consultation is to inform the public and gather their opinions on the potential impact on the environment, the health of local residents and the associated risks. Participants have until 15 September to express their opinions on the dedicated platform. Following this consultation, ASN will draw up a summary of the comments and proposals made by the public. This information will then be published and taken into account as part of the ongoing review of the application to commission the facility.