France Takes Control of Nuclear Activities from General Electric: President Macron Emphasizes the Importance of Sovereignty and Decarbonization in Europe

EDF has officially taken over the nuclear activities of General Electric (GE) and will now be responsible for the maintenance and manufacturing of Arabelle turbines. This deal, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, was initially agreed upon in February 2022 and faced concerns about Russian clients and potential opposition from the United States. However, Macron confirmed that these challenges were successfully addressed, allowing EDF to regain control over the production of essential equipment for nuclear power plants.

Macron expressed his unwavering support for nuclear power during his interview with regional dailies of the EBRA group. He called on other European countries to invest in it as he emphasized the need for Europe to be sovereign, decarbonize, and win the industrial battle through a combination of energy efficiency, renewables, and nuclear power. The president intends to expand on the Belfort program and present a more ambitious strategy by the end of the year to further solidify France’s position in the nuclear sector.