‘There aren’t many alternatives’: Growing reliance on nuclear power in France amid energy crunch

The French government is nationalising EDF, the firm which runs its nuclear power plants, to build new-generation reactors and also alleviate the debt burden on the company.

THREATENING LIVELIHOODS

Businesses in France have felt the strain from the higher prices, and have been forced to change their work processes or risk shutting down.

For example, baker Julien Pedussel has taken to working under the light of just one lamp during his 18-hour shifts in his Rieux bakery.

As the dough rises, so has his energy bills. The monthly bills have risen by thousands of dollars, costs which are not being met by government support.

“There are people who worked 15 to 20 years in the same business, just to lose everything. I find that so sad and it makes me feel really bad to know that they have worked for nothing,” said Mr Pedussel.

“Even if there is support for now, I’m going to try to keep going so that all their work does mean something.”

Buying bread is part of daily life in France, but making that bread requires energy, which contributes to the bills.

With bakeries at the heart of every French village, it would impact not just them, but the entire community too, if they were to close.