France should review its decision to limit the contribution of nuclear energy to 50% of electricity generation up to 2035 while also putting in place long-term funding for new reactors after 2023 and boosting its research into new technologies including small modular reactors, the International Energy Agency said.

In a review of France’s energy policies, the Paris-based IEA said France should review its nuclear plans in light of the objectives of climate urgency, climate neutrality, affordability and renewable energy deployment.

The agency called on France to take a timely decision on the role of nuclear beyond 2035, based on the completion of studies and consultations to decide on the combination of long-term operations and nuclear new build required, with a view of decarbonising electricity supply and to achieve net zero by 2050.