Five years ago in Alsace, the first reactor of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant stopped turning. We then talked about the end of an era … until the War in Ukraine And awareness of ecological emergency rebuild the cards. Between energy sovereignty, limited resources and influence issues, challenges around the nuclear are in size. In this second episode, we come back to the judgment of the Astrid project, which aimed to make sustainable nuclear. A story by Sébastien Julian, deputy editor -in -chief of the L’Express climate service.
Episode 2: Astrid, Hope disappointed with a sustainable nuclear
On February 24, 2022, three years ago, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia signed the return of war on the European continent. That day, the world rocks: geopolitical balances are redesigned, Europe relaunches investments in defense … and, obviously, the energy sector is not spared by these upheavals.
Europe realizes that it is largely under the infusion of Moscow. Without Russian gas or oil, no electricity, no heating … and continuing to provide Russia, it is to finance a war that we are fighting. To get out of this paradox, leaders have only one word in their mouths: energy sovereignty.
Being able to provide all your energy needs yourself: it is now the Grail sought by all. And for France, this involves nuclear. However, six years ago, our country ended a promising project that could have guaranteed us more energy independence. This project is called Astrid. In this episode, we wonder if France could not soon regret this choice.
Find all the episodes of the magnifying glass
Listen to this episode and subscribe to the magnifying glass on Apple Podcasts,, Spotify,, Deezer,, Podcast Addict And Amazon Music. It is there that you can put stars if you like it and write to us comments.
“The atomic challenges” is an original series of the magnifying glass, the daily podcast of L’Express, presented by Charlotte Baris, written and mounted by Solène Alifat and produced by Jules Krot.
Credits : INA, Europe 1, France 2, France 24, TV5 Monde
Music and dressing: Emmanuel Herschon/Studio Torrent
Logo: Jérémy Cambour
How to listen to a podcast? follow the leader.
To go further:
Nuclear, a French bankruptcy: the judgment of the Astrid project, “a historical error”
Nuclear: Is there a problem with our start-ups?
Nuclear: France must bet on fast neutron reactors, by Dominique Grenêche