France will reduce its reliance on nuclear power to 50% of its energy mix by 2035, down from 75% today, and will close two reactors before the end of 2022.

The reactor closure schedule will focus on the oldest reactors, including Tricastin, Bugey, Gravelines, Dampierre, Blayais, Cruas, Chinon and Saint-Laurent.

France also plans to close its four remaining coal-fired power plants by 2022. At the same time, support for renewable energy resources would grow from the current €5 billion ($5.64 billion) to between €7 and €8 billion per year. Onshore wind capacity would triple and solar photovoltaic capacity would increase five-fold by 2030. Offshore wind also would be developed under plans outlined by French President Emmanuel Macron on November 27.

The Reuters news agency reported that the French government may also consider boosting its 83.7% stake in utility EDF. Under the arrangement, EDF could be asked to put its nuclear activities into a separate legal unit. The government then could raise its stake to 100% in an effort to better support the nation's nuclear industry.

Location of France's nuclear power plants. Source: World Nuclear AssociationAs many as 14 of EDF’s 58 nuclear reactors could close by 2035. Already-announced plans to shut two reactors at Fessenheim will go ahead by the summer of 2020, Macron reportedly said. Installed nuclear generating capacity amounts to 63.1 GW.

The previous government of socialist President Francois Hollande passed a law aimed at reducing the share of nuclear to 50% by 2025. Macron committed to respect that promise in his election platform, but dropped the objective.

Macron said the closure schedule would depend on how France’s energy mix evolves, including the planned increase of renewable energy sources and the expansion of interconnection capacity with neighboring countries.

In 2016, electricity production in France equaled 556 terrawatt-hours (TWh). Of this, nuclear provided 403 TWh (72%), hydro 65 TWh (12%), coal and gas 45 TWh (8%), and solar and wind 31 TWh, according to the World Nuclear Association.

France's current reliance on nuclear energy stems from the government's deciding in 1974, just after the first global oil shock, to expand the country's nuclear power capacity using Westinghouse technology.

Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant, Haut-Rhin, Alsace, France. Source: Florival/CC BY-SA 3.0In July, EDF said that fuel loading at the Flamanville nuclear plant under construction would be delayed until the fourth quarter of 2019, a date pushed back from the fourth quarter of 2018. The utility also said that the cost of the 1,650 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR) had risen from $12.3 billion to $12.7 billion.

Welding defects in a system that directs steam produced in the plant's steam generators to its turbine were detected in March during a required regulatory inspection. The inspection included an examination of the welds in the plant's primary and secondary systems, and sets a baseline condition of the plant before it begins operating.

The Flamanville nuclear station was originally slated to enter service in 2013. Fuel loading is now scheduled for late 2019. Source: EDFThe utility went on to inspect 150 welds and found that 33 had quality deficiencies that needed to be repaired. Another 20 welds were to be redone, even though they did not have any defects. For 10 other welds, EDF submitted a proposal to regulators detailing a specific justification method to ensure safety through the plant's operating life.

Construction of the Flamanville plant began in December 2007, with commercial operation originally expected in 2013.