Wind energy now cheaper than nuclear in France by Paul Gipe

Liberation reports that for the second time in a little more than a year the cost of a new reactor under construction at Flamanville, France has risen dramatically.

Originally scheduled to be completed this year for a cost of €3.3 billion, the cost of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) doubled in 2011 to €6 billion and completion was delayed until 2016.

Constructors Areva and Electricité de France (EDF) have announced the cost has again risen, now to €8.5 billion ($10.6 billion) for the 1,650 MW reactor.

Similar cost overruns and completion delays have plagued Areva's EPR reactor under construction in Finland. Originally planned for operation in 2009, the Finnish reactor's start date has been extended to 2015, six years behind schedule.

With capital costs now more than €5,000 per kW ($6,400 per kW), EDF's announcement doesn't bode well for reactor proposals in Ontario, Canada, the US, and in Great Britain.

The French renewables industry was quick to denounce the cost overruns, saying that renewables are cheaper.

The Syndicat des énergies renouvelables (SER) said the situation wasn't surprising, following EDF's announcement earlier this year of similar costs for proposed reactors in Great Britain.