France: A Nuclear Success Story

Author: Darci Ramirez; Published: Dec 21, 2010; Category: Energy, Energy Conservation, Energy Education, Energy sources, Environment, Uncategorized; Tags: Education, Energy, energy challenges, science, Technology; Comments: Be the first

Nuclear power has provided electricity around the world for decades, but it has been especially successful in countries like France, where other energy sources are scarce. In fact, when asked why the country has so much nuclear power, the French have been known to answer: “No oil, no gas, no coal, no choice.” France depends on nuclear power for 79% of its electricity generation and has more than 50 nuclear power plants. In comparison, nuclear provides less than 20% of the United States’ power.

So what makes nuclear more popular in France than in other countries? In a report for the Public Broadcasting Service’s news program Frontline, French ministry official Claude Mandil said the country is more accepting of nuclear power for three reasons:

1. They are independent and don’t want to rely on foreign energy sources.
2. They favor taking on large projects and hold scientists and engineers in higher esteem than many other countries do.
3. The French government has carefully marketed nuclear energy, its benefits and risks, and encourages people to tour facilities to learn more about them.

According to surveys, the French have the same safety concerns about nuclear power as Americans –accidents, negative health effects from radiation and more. But they also recognize that their lives would be more difficult without nuclear power. Plus, the country has a very good safety record, with just one serious accident in 1992 in which three untrained workers were contaminated and injured. — three power plant executives were jailed for not taking proper safety precautions.; This safety record also helps people feel more at ease with the country’s reactors.

Many countries have plans for new nuclear power plants in the future, including Egypt, Indonesia and Kazakhstan, all countries that have never used nuclear power before – so time will tell whether these countries welcome it with France’s enthusiasm!

See Energy4me’s energy source comparison to see how nuclear stacks up with other fuel sources.