Michel ALLE. Nucléaire contre renouvelable : Pour en finir avec la guerre des religions, Royal Academy of Belgium, 210 pages.

The author deals with the highly debated issue in Europe of the rivalry between nuclear energy and renewable energies. After having posed the problems generated by the climate transition, by the revival of “old renewables” (hydroelectricity and biomass), by the maintenance of “historical nuclear power”, by the decline of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and by the launch of “new nuclear power” (EPR) and “new renewables” (photovoltaic and wind power), the author analyzes the difficulties encountered by decarbonization, by the strengthening of energy efficiency (and especially electrical) and by the decoupling between economic growth and energy consumption.

The author then compares the energy and electricity mixes, the variations in production and electrical capacities as well as the carbon emissions of Germany (whose nuclear phase-out he deplores), China (whose progress he welcomes), Denmark (which he sets up as a model), the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium (whose political decisions he criticizes). In conclusion, Michel Allé considers that the “religious war” between nuclear power and renewables is irrelevant. He believes that decarbonization is well underway but still insufficient. According to him, energy efficiency and economic growth will be mainly ensured by the new renewables, which are the main levers of decarbonization. Energy sobriety should play only a marginal role and fossil fuels should no longer benefit from subsidies. The advent of new nuclear power seems inevitable to him in the long term, but it depends on its competitiveness and the political choices of the main nation-states. Michel Allé demonstrates exceptional pedagogical skills on a complex subject. His reflection is presented in 30 short chapters, alternately technical, economic and geopolitical, which are illustrated with tables, graphs, references and glossaries drawn from the best sources.

Michel Allé is an honorary professor at the Université libre de Bruxelles. He is notably a director of Elia Group, manager of electricity transmission networks in Belgium and Germany.

Review written by J-J. PLUCHART