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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

Nuclear safety in spotlight as French start-ups bring mini reactors to market

Engineers carry out experimental studies on small modular reactors at the CEA Cadarache research centre in Saint-Paul-les-Durance, southern France, on 23 November, 2023. © NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP

France wants to take the lead in rolling out safer, cleaner nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels – but the growing number of start-ups promising to decarbonise the industry with small reactors is raising questions about safety and environmental responsibility.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) have been touted as the silver bullet that will finally kill the world's reliance on oil and gas and bring about carbon-neutral energy production in future decades.

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