France is looking to expand its nuclear energy portfolio with the construction of a new small reactor by 2030, President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday.
Macron said the goal is part of a $35 billion investment over the next decade, which was planned as an effort to “re-industrialize” France. The plan marries clean energy goals to bolstering the country’s economy, with Macron insisting the country “must wage the battle of innovation and industrialization at the same time.”
“We must rebuild a framework to ensure the productive independence of France and Europe,” Macron told a meeting of business leaders in announcing the “France 2030” plan.
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“The number one objective is to have innovative small-scale nuclear reactors in France by 2030 along with better waste management,” he also said.
In addition to the planned nuclear expansion, Macron announced plans to develop a low-carbon plane and construct two factories to produce green hydrogen by 2030.
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France already relies heavily on nuclear power, with the country deriving about 70% of its electricity from the carbon-free source.
The announcement comes weeks before global leaders are set to meet in Glasgow, Scotland, for a major United Nations climate change conference.
Pressure is on from the intergovernmental organization, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying in September that “the world’s window of opportunity to prevent the worst climate impacts is rapidly closing.”
