French nuclear waste project to cost up to $42 billion, says agency
The project, called Cigeo, is located in eastern France's Grand East region between two wine-producing cities Reims and Nancy, and is expected to become the country's first long-term storage site for its nuclear waste.
Due to start development in 2027, plans for the storage 500 metres below ground have faced protests from nearby residents.
A decree from the ministry of industry is expected by the end of the year finalising the costs, which will serve as a reference until the next assessment, said the waste agency, known as Andra.
Both the cost and the site face further reviews, due at the latest by the end of 2026.
Construction could begin by 2027 if the French nuclear safety authority approves the application, and the first waste packages would be received in 2050, with an expected operating life of one century.
($1 = 0.8986 euros)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘We bought a French vineyard – it took us seven years to turn a profit'
David Moore is starting his tractor with a screwdriver. 'There's a problem with the old girl's ignition,' he says. 'It's alright though, I saw this done on Ozark.' In the 15 years since David, 58, and his wife Amanda, 57, packed up three cats, two horses, two young daughters and a dog to start a new life in Bordeaux, they've often had to improvise. The decrepit farmhouse and 10-hectare vineyard they bought for €370,000 (£320,000) in 2010 has needed years of hard graft, relentless optimism and cash to transform into the wine business it is today. They are still using much of the ancient, rusted machinery they bought from the previous owner. 'The house was a complete and utter wreck,' Amanda says. 'There was a bird's nest in the hall, and a macerating toilet behind a screen in the corner. Frogs would get in at night and wake the kids up.' It's the kind of rustic blank slate that creeps into the daydreams of sun-starved wine-lovers sitting in their home offices in the suburbs. David and Amanda, from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, are among the tiny minority to have turned the hazy idea into reality. Their farmhouse is now a chicly furnished four-bedroom home with elegant oak beams and exposed limestone brickwork. They serve their wine to tourists in a renovated, high-ceilinged barn where paintings created by their daughter, an art student at the nearby University of Bordeaux, hang on the walls. But becoming winemakers – or vignerons – was always going to be a financial gamble. 'We were really into wine – drinking it,' David says. 'We knew you could get three bottles for a tenner at Morrisons but we knew nothing on the side of viticulture. 'We had no idea how expensive it would be to farm grapes and make wine, let alone renovate the house and other buildings.' The couple have ploughed around €250,000 (£217,000) into works on the property and vineyard, reinvesting most of their revenue back into the business. Now they are grappling with a crisis engulfing France's wine industry. Production costs are ratcheting up while domestic and international demand has slumped. Cellars from Champagne to Provence are full of surplus stock. The backdrop is a changing climate, making the weather more extreme and altering the character of vintages from the country's renowned wine-growing regions. 'We didn't have a plan' Harsh economic conditions mean intrepid foreigners like David and Amanda are becoming harder to find in France. Gilles Martin, of Vinea Transaction, an estate agency specialising in French vineyard sales, says the number of British buyers has collapsed since the heyday 20 years ago. 'Between 2000 and 2010 we would sell dozens of vineyards to British buyers. They represented around a third of all our sales. Last year we sold just three, and the share was down to 5pc.' The financial crisis put an end to the boom. The pound plummeted against the euro, making French vineyards relatively more expensive. Brexit would later add an extra layer of bureaucracy for anyone tempted to take the plunge. David and Amanda first started to think about moving to France in 2007 after David bought himself a tractor for his 40th birthday. 'It was a sort of midlife crisis,' he says with a smile. 'We were living in a beautiful house with some land. But ever since the two of us met, we had an itch to do something different.' Back then, a pound was worth €1.50. By the time they came to sign for the vineyard three years later, the pound was approaching parity with the euro, and the cost of fulfilling their dream had risen sharply. Even so, the vineyard purchase was covered by the sale of their Yorkshire home, leaving them with a modest cushion of around £40,000. They used the money to renovate the farmhouse, buy and repair the rusty machinery, and fund their lives while they worked to get the neglected vineyard into shape. They christened their new business 'The Naked Vigneron'. David, a painter and decorator, did odd jobs on the side to help keep the family afloat in the 18 months before they sold their first bottle. Having only 'schoolboy French' and two daughters aged four and five didn't make things any easier. 'We didn't have a plan,' David adds. 'We didn't sit down and do a spreadsheet. We knew it wouldn't be easy but we were a little naive about the financial side of things.' Their limited funds meant they decided to tend the vines, pick the grapes and make the wine themselves, without any professional help. David did all of the building work himself, meaning they only paid for the raw materials. They discovered that the combination of climate and soil in their corner of eastern Bordeaux, just 200m from the Dordogne border, produced chalky, full-bodied reds. But it took until 2017, seven years after starting the business, to turn a profit for the first time. Like all French winemakers, the couple have had to contend with an increasingly unpredictable climate. Their first profitable year coincided with the vineyard's first major disaster, when a frost wiped out 95pc of the harvest. In the eight years since, David and Amanda have had six 'dire' harvests, either frost or mildew, when evaporating rainwater rots the grapes. Forced to diversify In the couple's stone-walled winery, a bat flits between gnarled beams and disappears into the rafters. Six dusty bottles of the vineyard's early produce sit on a surface near a cast iron wine press. The battered wooden door is encrusted with snails. 'If we'd had a million, we'd have refurbished this place,' Amanda says. 'But we've grown to like working with the old gear. People who visit appreciate the rustic.' David leans on a large burgundy-coloured storage vat with white numbers scratched on to it. 'In a normal, good harvest year, we would produce 25,000 litres of red,' he says. 'Last year this was down to 1,200 litres.' In the early years, they sold a lot of wine in bulk (' en vrac ') to a négociant – a middleman who would mix their raw product with other wines and sell on the resulting blend. These sales were the 'bread and butter' of the business, raking in as much as €42,000 a year – helped by the fact their wine was organic and commanded a premium. The pandemic put an end to this lucrative source of revenue. Tourists stayed away, demand slumped and the wholesale market never recovered. This new reality forced them to diversify. Most of the business's income now comes from tastings, tours and meals rather than bulk wine sales. They have hosted a handful of weddings in the beautifully restored barn, and are planning to eventually rent out the whole property and grounds for big functions. They even sell organic waste, like seeds, and tiny quantities of wine, to cosmetics firms to add to perfumes. Three quarters of the wine they sell is to fellow Brits. 'We've ended up moving to a very Anglicised area,' Amanda says. 'All our nearest neighbours are British.' In a good year, the business just about reaches the €60,000 of turnover needed to break even. British winemakers selling up The Naked Vigneron is among thousands of French wineries facing an uncertain future. Domestic wine consumption has collapsed from 120 litres per adult annually in the 1960s to just 40 litres today, as younger generations switch to whisky and beer. International competition and waning demand from previously big importers like China have also dented demand. In a bid to cut the amount of wine flooding the market, the French government is offering winemakers €6,000 per hectare to dig up their vines and not replant them until at least 2029. David and Amanda took up the offer this year, uprooting six of their 10 hectares of vines in exchange for €36,000. David did the digging himself to save money. Other weary producers are simply calling it quits. Martin, of Vinea Transactions, has seen a rise in the number of British winemakers selling up in the last five years. 'In Bordeaux, in particular, there are no English buyers and the market is very down, it's very difficult,' he says. 'Some are approaching retirement age and their children are not interested in wine. Market conditions are also bad.' Martin's clients are a mix of professional winemakers and enthusiastic amateurs looking for an idyllic plot at a reasonable price. The vineyards he sells begin at around the €1m mark, rising to €20m in the prime appellations like the Loire, Languedoc and the Rhône Valley. But the wine crisis means some are selling at a hefty discount. 'There's a readjustment in the market. We have to explain to sellers that they will have to take a lower price.' David and Amanda know three English couples who have sold up their French vineyards in the last few years. But the pair are determined to tough it out. 'We've never thought about throwing in the towel,' Amanda says. 'We love it here. Our kids hate the idea of us selling it.' David looks across from a row of vines to a pale-stoned building plonked in the middle of an empty field. There are no windows and part of the tiled roof has caved in. Their plan, he says, is to turn the ruin into a gîte with three bedrooms and a swimming pool – the latest venture to boost the vineyard's income. David estimates the refurbishment will cost €50,000, including a new roof, and installing electricity and running water. They hope to fund some of the building work with the government grant. It is ambitious given the economic climate and the hard labour required. But after years of defying the odds, David looks at the ruin and sees another opportunity. 'We're not a million miles away from 60 and it's not going to get much easier physically – but there's still a lot more we want to do,' he says. 'There's nothing like a bit of a struggle here and there. You wouldn't want it on a plate. 'Doing it all ourselves is very satisfying. Sometimes we sit here and pinch ourselves and look around and think: we made this.' *Please note that by submitting your content to us you are consenting to The Telegraph processing your personal data where required by law. For further details please see our Privacy Notice.
Auto Blog
13 hours ago
- Auto Blog
How Selling European Models Could Revive Nissan In North America
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Nissan's current situation is troubling Although it's certainly not the most recent news, Nissan's financial struggles are still relevant as the brand rushes to bring out new products, aiming to turn around the Japanese automaker's reputation in North America and to get its balance sheets out of the red. What you may or may not know is that Nissan is partnered with French automaker Renault, and it was announced earlier this month by Fortune that Renault has seen $11.2 billion wiped off the face of the Earth just to cover Nissan's losses. Despite their recent troubles, Nissan's team is making a serious effort to get things back on track, and that all begins with the most important thing: their products. Throughout 2025, Nissan has been rolling out a freshly revamped model lineup, ranging from an updated 2026 Nissan LEAF EV to the burly new Nissan Armada, a full-size body-on-frame SUV with four-wheel drive and a twin-turbocharged V6. A Nissan-Honda merger could be back on the table Watch More 2026 Nissan LEAF — Source: Nissan While Nissan's efforts to refresh and revitalize its lineup haven't gone unnoticed, it's also been glaringly obvious that the brand's product portfolio has a few notable gaps. Buyers and Nissan dealers alike have been urging Nissan to revive the iconic Xterra — a rugged off-roader SUV that once shared its platform with the Frontier pickup truck and competed directly with the Toyota 4Runner. As these overland-ready off-roaders have grown in popularity immensely, it seems like a major missed opportunity for Nissan, especially considering the fact that the Frontier itself received a major update not too long ago. However, I don't think the gaps in Nissan's lineup begin and end with the Xterra, and in fact, it seems there's an entire selection of models that Nissan could offer North American buyers, but simply doesn't. I'm referring to European models, such as those from Renault, Dacia, and even Alpine, which have achieved sales success and critical acclaim across the pond. I can't help but wonder why Nissan doesn't offer European models from its partner companies, which are sure to be popular with American audiences. Using generative text-to-image artificial intelligence, we take an imagined look at what rebadged models from Renault, Dacia, and Alpine could look like rebranded as Nissans for the North American market. These images are purely for speculative and entertainment purposes and in no way reflect any actual Nissan, Renault, Dacia, or Alpine products. Nissan should sell the Dacia Duster in North America 2026 Nissan Duster — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Affordable yet rugged crossovers are all the rage right now–just look at Subaru's Wilderness models, Honda's Trailsport editions, and Toyota's TRD Pro versions. Even Nissan is chasing the rugged lifestyle buyers with its Rock Creek Editions and Pro 4X models, and bringing the venerable Dacia Duster stateside with a set of Nissan badges and an updated fascia could make the allure of a tough, utilitarian crossover more accessible to the market. In the United Kingdom, the Dacia Duster has a starting MSRP of just £19,380 (around $26,000 when converted to $USD), meaning Nissan could potentially offer a 130-horsepower mild-hybrid crossover with optional four-wheel drive to American buyers for under $30,000. If that sort of offer couldn't resonate with American buyers, I don't know what would. Nissan Duster Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Additionally, Nissan could offer the Dacia's upgraded, full-hybrid power plant–the turbocharged 1.6-liter 'Hybrid 140' powertrain, which delivers a combined total of 140 horsepower and around 150 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. A Nissan-branded Dacia Duster could offer a rugged rival to the popular Subaru Crosstrek, albeit with mild-hybrid and full-hybrid powertrain options. Nissan should sell the Dacia Bigster as an American-market X-Trail Nissan X-Trail Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Before the Rogue became the hot commodity it is today, Nissan sold the X-Trail–a boxy, camping-friendly crossover–all over the globe. It was even sold in North America, and was hugely popular in Canada and Mexico, but Nissan decided not to sell it in the USA for some reason. These days, the global Nissan X-Trail is really just the Nissan Rogue that we see (quite constantly) roaming the streets here at home, but I think there's still a market in North America for the type of vehicle that the X-Trail once was. Nissan X-Trail Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Offering boxier proportions and a more rugged four-wheel drive system, the Dacia Bigster-based Nissan X-Trail could be to the Nissan Rogue what the Ford Bronco Sport is to the Escape, or perhaps what the Mazda CX-50 is to the CX-5. Available with either a 140-horsepower turbocharged 1.2-liter three cylinder, or a 155-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, the Dacia Bigster's mechanical guts might win over American buyers left untouched, but I think a more powerful beating heart, such as the 1.5-liter VC-Turbo three-cylinder found in the current Rogue (which makes a stout 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque), would be a much more suitable motor. Lastly, Nissan should bring the Alpine A110 to North America Nissan A110 Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI For years, we've begged Alpine to bring the glorious, turbocharged, mid-engine sport coupe to American roads. Unfortunately, we've yet to see it bless our shores, but maybe Nissan could change that. Now might be the perfect time to do so, considering that Toyota is seriously considering reviving the MR2, and Porsche is converting its Cayman and Boxster models to fully electric powertrains, which will inevitably alienate many of their loyal buyers. A Nissan-branded Alpine A110 in North America could help fill the gap in this desirable segment, putting itself up against the likes of the Lotus Emira and a potentially upcoming Toyota MR2 using its 296-horsepower turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder, mounted behind the cabin, and paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and rear-wheel drive. Nissan A110 Concept — Source: Cole Attisha Using Midjourney AI Adding the A110 to Nissan's American lineup might not make for a superstar sales success, but it would certainly liven up the image of a brand that was once a champion of fun, affordable sports cars. Perhaps, too, we could see the return of fan favorites like the Nissan Silvia, the Stagea 260RS wagon, and the Pulsar GTI-R. Final thoughts While Nissan dares to think outside of the box to get things back on track, perhaps also thinking inside the box might provide some much-needed help. Rebranding European products from the same brand umbrella is a strategy for automakers that seems as old as time itself, from General Motors selling Opels as Buicks and Saturns in the 2000s to Ford replacing the hot-selling Escape with the European-styled Ford Kuga. I'm rooting for Nissan, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the brand goes about turning things around and returning to profitability, but it'll be a long and winding road to get there. And hey, there's not much else you could ask for on a long and windy road than a mid-engine Alpine A110 ;). About the Author Cole Attisha View Profile
Auto Blog
19 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Rimac Reveals Bugatti Tourbillon And Nevera Secrets As Testing Ramps Up
Mate Rimac Reveals Bugatti & Rimac Secrets The Bugatti Tourbillon is deep into its development and testing phases, with numerous prototypes being tested in various conditions around the world. As it draws nearer, Top Gear got the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming hypercar from Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, who gave the publication a tour of the massive facility where Tourbillon prototypes are being built (the production cars will be made in Molsheim, of course) and Neveras are prepared for their customers. Along with recapping and elaborating on many of the Tourbillon's neat innovations and design elements, Mr. Rimac also revealed some interesting details that would not be found in a press release, including the fact that the Nevera shares only a single part with another vehicle and that the electric hypercar almost formed the basis of the Tourbillon. How The Rimac-Based Bugatti Would Have Come To Life Source: Bradley Iger/Autoblog Mate explains that before he was directly involved with Bugatti, initial ideas included using most of the Nevera to form the basis of a new hybrid hypercar. Rimac imagined using the entire front half of the car, carrying over important elements like the dual electric motors and the steering system, cooling components, brakes, and crash structure. The battery of the Nevera would also have been retained, and then aft of the passenger compartment, a V16 would have been mated to the package. This was passed on for several reasons, but the simplest way to describe why this simpler route was not taken is with the word compromise. Not only would the dynamics of the Bugatti have been jeopardized, but the value of the brand would have been diminished, too. As Rimac succinctly said when referring to innovations like the speaker-free audio system in the cabin: 'If we [Bugatti] don't do it, who will?' In other words, Bugatti exists to set standards, not follow trends or take shortcuts, and although collaboration is okay – see the Tourbillon's Rimac-designed-and-made battery and Czinger/Divergent-sourced 3D-printed suspension – everything on a Bugatti must still be specific to the bespoke. Audi R8 Parts In A World-Beating Hypercar In the video embedded at the bottom of this article, TG's Oliie Kew notes, while looking at a naked Rimac Nevera R monocoque, that every component bears a Rimac stamp. Mate proudly says that the 'only component' shared with another car is the HVAC box from an Audi R8, and even that has been modified. Doing everything in-house must be expensive, and it is – Mate says that the Nevera project cost the team over €150 million, or around $173 million. Naturally, the conversation gravitated towards the disappointing sales figures of the hypercar, and although Mate concedes that the Nevera didn't sell out of all 150 units, he calls it 'the most successful electric sports car,' saying the company has 'sold most of them,' though an exact figure was not revealed. According to Bloomberg, Rimac has sold 50 cars as of July 2025. By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. Bugatti Tourbillon Technology Coming To Everyday Cars Source: Bugatti During the tour, Mate often noted that battery packs and other components are being developed and produced for automakers that do not always wish to be named, and one example of that is highlighted around the half-hour mark, when Mate reveals that the front electric powertrain of the Tourbillon, which was developed specifically for the hypercar, has been repurposed as a rear-mounted electric motor for an unnamed upcoming SUV and sedan pairing. By developing the tech for hypercars first, the most costly research & development processes are already paid for, making the large-scale democratization of high-density energy storage and ultra-efficient motors cost-effective. In summary, the Nevera may have been a commercial failure in some ways, but it formed the foundation of the Rimac Technologies design and manufacturing juggernaut, served as a cautionary tale for Bugatti and others, and reset the bar for hypercar performance. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
