Fukushima and the Energy Transition

The 2011 Fukushima disaster forced global nuclear reassessment. France, under President Sarkozy then Hollande, initially remained committed to nuclear power while strengthening safety measures. Stress tests evaluated reactor resilience against extreme events. The Nuclear Safety Authority, with enhanced independence and resources, mandated significant upgrades.

But political dynamics shifted. The Socialist government elected in 2012 promised to reduce nuclear's electricity share from 75% to 50% by 2025. This goal, later postponed to 2035, reflected changing politics rather than technical necessity. The rise of renewable energy, particularly in Germany, challenged French nuclear orthodoxy.

The climate change imperative gave nuclear power new relevance. As the only major European economy with already-decarbonized electricity, France found itself in an unexpected position. While Germany's Energiewende required massive renewable investment to replace nuclear and coal, France already had clean electricity. The question became how to maintain this advantage while modernizing an aging reactor fleet.