<p>France has yet to decide whether to build new nuclear reactors and could yet pursue a long-term strategy of 100% renewable energy, Environment Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Monday.</p>.<p>The minister was responding to questions on Europe 1 radio after the CEO of state-controlled power utility EDF last week said it is clear France is preparing to build new reactors.</p>.<p>EDF operates all of France's 58 nuclear reactors, which account for more than 75% of the country's electricity needs.</p>.<p>"EDF does not determine French energy policy," Borne said, pointing to France's previously announced policy on reducing the nuclear power to 50% of the electricity mix by 2035 while increasing the contribution of renewables.</p>.<p>"The decision on new reactors has not been made. There are different scenarios with new nuclear reactors in the mix. We are also looking at a scenario where we have 100% renewables," Borne said.</p>.<p>Borne also said that President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated that there will be no decision on new reactors until the commissioning of EDF's Flamanville 3 EPR reactor under construction in the north of France.</p>.<p>Her comments follow a report on the Le Monde website last week, in which Borne and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire were said to have sent a letter to EDF asking the company to prepare plans for the construction of six EPR nuclear reactors over the next 15 years.</p>.<p>The Flamanville 3 reactor - the latest generation of the reactor with enhanced safety features put in place after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan - has been plagued by delays, technical problems and cost overruns. It is now expected to start operating in 2023, more than a decade behind schedule.</p>.<p>"What we expect from EDF is an explanation on the cost overruns and delays at Flamanville 3," Borne added.</p>
<p>France has yet to decide whether to build new nuclear reactors and could yet pursue a long-term strategy of 100% renewable energy, Environment Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Monday.</p>.<p>The minister was responding to questions on Europe 1 radio after the CEO of state-controlled power utility EDF last week said it is clear France is preparing to build new reactors.</p>.<p>EDF operates all of France's 58 nuclear reactors, which account for more than 75% of the country's electricity needs.</p>.<p>"EDF does not determine French energy policy," Borne said, pointing to France's previously announced policy on reducing the nuclear power to 50% of the electricity mix by 2035 while increasing the contribution of renewables.</p>.<p>"The decision on new reactors has not been made. There are different scenarios with new nuclear reactors in the mix. We are also looking at a scenario where we have 100% renewables," Borne said.</p>.<p>Borne also said that President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated that there will be no decision on new reactors until the commissioning of EDF's Flamanville 3 EPR reactor under construction in the north of France.</p>.<p>Her comments follow a report on the Le Monde website last week, in which Borne and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire were said to have sent a letter to EDF asking the company to prepare plans for the construction of six EPR nuclear reactors over the next 15 years.</p>.<p>The Flamanville 3 reactor - the latest generation of the reactor with enhanced safety features put in place after the Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan - has been plagued by delays, technical problems and cost overruns. It is now expected to start operating in 2023, more than a decade behind schedule.</p>.<p>"What we expect from EDF is an explanation on the cost overruns and delays at Flamanville 3," Borne added.</p>