Energy

Ireland should consider small nuclear power plants – French ambassador

The new Celtic Interconnector with France will see Ireland importing French nuclear power in the years ahead

Vincent Guérend, French Ambassador to Ireland: ‘More and more countries are considering nuclear as a back-up.’ Picture: Fergal Phillips

The French ambassador has encouraged Ireland to consider small modular nuclear reactors as part of its energy mix in the future.

Speaking to the Business Post, Vincent Guérend extolled the virtues of the large volume of nuclear power generated in France, and encouraged Ireland to look at newer nuclear technologies that could allow smaller reactors to be built.

Currently the construction of nuclear power plants is banned under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999.

“Is there ...