President Francois Hollande of France will publish a decree later this year, formally launching the process to shut down France’s oldest nuclear power plant, the Associated Press reported on 26 April. Hollande’s 2012 election pledge was to limit nuclear’s share of French generation at 50% by 2025 and the closure of the ageing Fessenheim plant in eastern France by the end of 2016. "Discussions are ongoing between the state and EDF on the conditions of this move," Hollande said during a speech on the environment at the Elysee palace.
France’s ageing power reactors have been the focus of concern by neighbouring countries. Germany in March demanded the closure of Fessenheim, which is located near the German and Swiss borders. Fessenheim. France’s oldest NPP houses two 900MWe reactors and has been running since 1977.
Earlier in April, Luxembourg decided to contribute finances for the earlier closure of the Cattenom NPP, which is sited near the border, French radio station RFI has reported. Following a meeting with French prime minister Manuel Valls, Luxembourg’s prime minister Xavier Bettel was cited as saying by local media the country "would be prepared to make a financial commitment" to the cross-border project.
