Hollande to close France's oldest nuclear plant by 2016

French President Francois Hollande announced Friday that the country's oldest nuclear power plant at Fessenheim, on the border with Germany, would be closed by the end of 2016. During his campaign for president Hollande had said he would close the 35-year-old plant during his tenure, but not given a precise timetable. Hollande assured that the closure, which is part of his plan to reduce the share of nuclear in France'e energy mix from 75% to 50% by 2025, would not affect regional power supplies nor result in job cuts. Fessenheim residents, many of whom depend on the plant for employment, had objected to plans to close the twin-reactor facility. The French nuclear authority had given the green light last year for the plant to remain in operation for another 10 years, provided work was carried out to strengthen the concrete floor of one of the reactors.