Solar to be cheaper than French nuclear by end of decade, claims Greenpeace

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

A report by environmental activist group, Greenpeace, on the upgrades required for nuclear power plants in France, reveals renewable energy will be more financially competitive by 2020.

As nuclear reactors are upgraded to meet new safety requirements in the aftermath of Fukushima, the maintenance of reactors for the next 40 years, is very expensive in comparison to renewables such as solar and wind, said Greenpeace.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The report investigates the finance and economics of nuclear power in France and highlights economic risks and uncertainties.

It concludes that short term nuclear is cheaper but long term renewables will be.

Nuclear upgrades under new European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) standards would push nuclear prices to €133 per MWh (US$180 MWh), with €4.4 billion (US$6.0 billion) of investment per reactor required.

Increasing the costs and financial risk of EPRs are operating costs, wall investment, improving safety and erosion of profitability, the report claimed.

Compared to renewables nuclear will be more expensive than onshore wind (at €40-80 per MWh by 2018), and more expensive than solar and offshore wind power by 2020.

The report urges government to take control of nuclear power, future nuclear generation, and the financial future of the country.

France’s minister of ecology, sustainable development and energy, Segolene Royal is expected to present new energy law framework that cuts France’s nuclear share from 75% to 50% by 2025.

In the run up to new energy laws, France’s parliamentary commission has suggested an independent institution be formed to formulate the country’s long term energy investments.

The proposal has been submitted to the President of national assembly, François Brottes. 

As part of his presidential campaign, President Francois Hollande endorsed cutting France’s share of nuclear power.

According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), over 75% of France’s electricity is derived from nuclear power, and it earns €3 billion (US$4.1 billion) per year as the globe’s largest electricity exporter. France has 58 nuclear power plants, totalling over 63GW. Of which 17% is recycled nuclear energy.

For nuclear data Greenpeace used information from environmental science association, Global Chance and World International Service on Energy, WISE-Paris.

For renewables data, Greenpeace used the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Fraunhofer Institute, International Agency for Renewable Energy (IRENA) the European Wind Energy Association, the US Energy Agency and the Court of Auditors or the ADEME.

The Court of Auditors published a report on nuclear costs on 27 May.

This week Bloomberg reported the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and French utility EDF have used varying models on forecasted energy demand to justify keeping reactors online.

Read Next

September 10, 2025
At RE+ 2025, companies launched AI-driven platforms, terrain-following trackers, low-carbon modules, and advanced energy management solutions for solar and storage.
Premium
September 10, 2025
PV Talk: Italy’s new CfD policy offers clear support for solar developers in an otherwise uncertain legislative landscape, says Terrawatt's Patrizio Donati.
September 10, 2025
A project claimed to be Germany’s largest agriPV plant has been commissioned in the north-east of the country.
September 10, 2025
Renewables developer rPlus Energies has secured US$100 million in tax equity financing for its 125MW solar PV plant in the US state of Idaho.
September 10, 2025
Indian solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar reported a 79.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY26.
September 10, 2025
Cordelio Power has started commercial operations at its 150MW Winfield solar project in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines