World Energy Outlook 2006

Table 13.5: Timeline Leading to the Construction of a New Nuclear Reactor in France
Date Outcome
2003 National debate on energy.
White paper on energy published in November.
2004 EDF embarks on planning process towards the construction
of an EPR, following debate in Parliament. EDF decides new
reactor will be built at its Flamanville site.
2005 Energy policy law passed in July with the objective of keeping
open the nuclear option. Launch of public debate on the EPR
in October.
2006 Public debate completed in February.
EDF announces in May its decision to go ahead with a third
reactor at the Flamanville site.
2007 Beginning of construction (first concrete) at the end of the year.
2012 Estimated reactor start-up.
Source: Based on information by the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry (available at
www.industrie.gouv.fr).
A number of other countries are addressing the role of nuclear energy but do
not have policies in place to promote the construction of new nuclear plants.
Some do not have a meaningful licensing process in place. A number of
OECD countries have passed laws that phase out nuclear power or ban the
construction of new plants (Table 13.6). The phase-out policies of Sweden,
Germany and Belgium are subject to continuing debate.
Outside the OECD, Russia, China and India have the most ambitious nuclear
power programmes. In Russia, the development of nuclear power has become
a government priority. In June 2006, the Russian President formally approved
a new Federal Targeted Programme, which calls for an increase of the share of
nuclear power in electricity generation from 16% now to 25% by 2030. This
target appears ambitious, given the size of the necessary investment.
China has set a target to build 40 GW of nuclear capacity by 2020. Though an
earlier target to reach 20 GW in 2010 will not be met, over the past few years,
the Chinese government has stepped up efforts to promote the development of
nuclear power.
In May 2006, India announced a new target for its nuclear generating capacity
to reach 40 GW in 2030. India’s record of meeting targets is poor, including
the target set in the 1984 Nuclear Power Profile of 10 GW by 2000. Installed
capacity in 2000 was only a quarter of the target. The programme seems to
have accelerated now, as India has 3.6 GW under construction, as much as the
installed capacity in mid-2006.
Chapter 13 - Prospects for Nuclear Power 353
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© OECD/IEA, 2007