Normandy chosen for new nuclear plant

France has chosen a Normandy coastal town as the site for the first in a new generation of nuclear power plants.

The plant, billed as more efficient, safer and environmentally friendly than current models, will be constructed in Flamanville, on the Atlantic coast, which already has a nuclear plant.

The project has drawn protests from opponents of government plans to replace ageing nuclear plants with a new generation of reactors known as the European Pressurised Water Reactor, or EPR.

France’s 58 nuclear reactors produce 78.2% of the country’s electricity. However, about 30 of the reactors will be between 40 and 50 years old by 2020 and in need of replacement.

Construction of the plant is expected to take eight years. If acceptable, a series of EPR plants could be built and put into service by 2020. Finland is the only other European country that has announced plans for an EPR plant.

Environmental group Out of Nuclear criticised the plan and vowed protests, saying it means the nuclear industry has further “colonised” the region.

The Manche region of Normandy is already home to a nuclear plant, a nuclear reprocessing factory, and a nuclear stockpiling site.