A bill to speed up the construction of new nuclear power plants was approved by the French parliament on Tuesday (16 May), with the government hailing it as a major step forward in ambitious plans to revive the nuclear industry.

A compromise text struck between the lower house, the National Assembly, and the upper house, the Senate, was voted through by 399 votes to 100.

Once it comes into force, the new law will speed up the construction of new nuclear reactors by simplifying administrative procedures and planning documents. The energy transition ministry has said it expects construction times to be reduced by at least two years.