By Bárbara Daguer and Gabriela Delgado
France is responsible for the second largest production of nuclear energy in the world., second only to the United States (FIEP, 2011). Explaining in a simple way, energy comes from the nucleus of atoms, being the smallest particles of any matter. Depending on the element used, the formation or destruction of a particle releases enormous amounts of energy.
About 70% of the energy base of this country located in Western Europe is originated by atomic energy (DW, 2022). Despite being considered an extremely clean energy, for not releasing CO2 and no toxic waste, some European countries are choosing to ditch nuclear power, due to the probability of accidents. One country that has almost completely stopped using this energy source is Germany., existing only 3 reactors in the country. Belgium, which was going to deactivate its plants and postponed the feat 2035 (DW, 2022). However, the countries that are making this option are a minority, and countries like Bulgaria and Spain aim to expand their productions.
France is the main electricity exporter in Europe, selling this font mainly to Italy and UK (DW, 2022). Until 2025, Paris intended to reduce by 50% the participation of nuclear energy, however this project was postponed by ten years (DW, 2022). This action would directly affect Europe, especially Central European countries, and consequently would increase energy prices, say analysts at Barclays Bank.
The recent announcement by Electricité de France (EDF) that France's nuclear reactors may malfunction is the country's top atomic energy issue. Between 1978 e 2002 EDF installed 58 reactors, which generated a dependence on nuclear energy on the part of France, and this resulted in an antiquated energy infrastructure, making modernization programs necessary (Twitter, 2022).
However, with the Ukrainian War, the energy crisis and the approach of winter, France has changed its plans and aims to build up to 14 new nuclear reactors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to contain the country's unstable energy prices (CNN, 2022). Deeper investment in nuclear energy means a change in Emmanuel Macron's policy, who had promised to move away from nuclear energy (CNN, 2022).
Therefore, it is possible to conclude that if France, largest exporter of electric current
of Europe to stop its distribution of nuclear energy, several countries, mainly those located in the center of the continent would be severely affected. However, the tendency of this type of energy is to expand, mainly in France, which already demonstrates plans to build several plants in its territory in the coming years.
References
No Author. Agenda – 10 world's largest nuclear power producers. Strategic Routes – observatories – Fiep. Fiepr.org.br. Available in: <https://www.fiepr.org.br/observatorios/energia/FreeComponent21893content185813.shtml>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
ATAMAN, Joseph. France announces plans to build up to 14 nuclear reactors. Cnnbrasil.com.br. Available in: <https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/business/franca-anuncia-planos-para-construir-ate-14-reatores-nucleares/>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
PEOPLE, Newspaper to. France must restart nuclear reactors to ensure power in winter. People's Gazette. Available in: <https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/mundo/franca-deve-reativar-reatores-nucleares>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
RIEGERT, Bernd. How each EU country handles nuclear energy. dw.com. Available in: <https://www.dw.com/pt-br/como-cada-país-da-ue-lida-com-a-energia-nuclear/>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
What will happen if the sale of French nuclear energy to Europe is stopped?
By Bárbara Daguer and Gabriela Delgado
France is responsible for the second largest production of nuclear energy in the world., second only to the United States (FIEP, 2011). Explaining in a simple way, energy comes from the nucleus of atoms, being the smallest particles of any matter. Depending on the element used, the formation or destruction of a particle releases enormous amounts of energy.
About 70% of the energy base of this country located in Western Europe is originated by atomic energy (DW, 2022). Despite being considered an extremely clean energy, for not releasing CO2 and no toxic waste, some European countries are choosing to ditch nuclear power, due to the probability of accidents. One country that has almost completely stopped using this energy source is Germany., existing only 3 reactors in the country. Belgium, which was going to deactivate its plants and postponed the feat 2035 (DW, 2022). However, the countries that are making this option are a minority, and countries like Bulgaria and Spain aim to expand their productions.
France is the main electricity exporter in Europe, selling this font mainly to Italy and UK (DW, 2022). Until 2025, Paris intended to reduce by 50% the participation of nuclear energy, however this project was postponed by ten years (DW, 2022). This action would directly affect Europe, especially Central European countries, and consequently would increase energy prices, say analysts at Barclays Bank.
The recent announcement by Electricité de France (EDF) that France's nuclear reactors may malfunction is the country's top atomic energy issue. Between 1978 e 2002 EDF installed 58 reactors, which generated a dependence on nuclear energy on the part of France, and this resulted in an antiquated energy infrastructure, making modernization programs necessary (Twitter, 2022).
However, with the Ukrainian War, the energy crisis and the approach of winter, France has changed its plans and aims to build up to 14 new nuclear reactors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to contain the country's unstable energy prices (CNN, 2022). Deeper investment in nuclear energy means a change in Emmanuel Macron's policy, who had promised to move away from nuclear energy (CNN, 2022).
Therefore, it is possible to conclude that if France, largest exporter of electric current
of Europe to stop its distribution of nuclear energy, several countries, mainly those located in the center of the continent would be severely affected. However, the tendency of this type of energy is to expand, mainly in France, which already demonstrates plans to build several plants in its territory in the coming years.
References
No Author. Agenda – 10 world's largest nuclear power producers. Strategic Routes – observatories – Fiep. Fiepr.org.br. Available in: <https://www.fiepr.org.br/observatorios/energia/FreeComponent21893content185813.shtml>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
ATAMAN, Joseph. France announces plans to build up to 14 nuclear reactors. Cnnbrasil.com.br. Available in: <https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/business/franca-anuncia-planos-para-construir-ate-14-reatores-nucleares/>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
PEOPLE, Newspaper to. France must restart nuclear reactors to ensure power in winter. People's Gazette. Available in: <https://www.gazetadopovo.com.br/mundo/franca-deve-reativar-reatores-nucleares>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
RIEGERT, Bernd. How each EU country handles nuclear energy. dw.com. Available in: <https://www.dw.com/pt-br/como-cada-país-da-ue-lida-com-a-energia-nuclear/>. Access in: 19 set. 2022.
