Why did the French government shut down the SuperPhenix?
For political reasons, which have nothing to do with technical or economic reasons. It was because the Green Party made an electoral pact with the Socialists that the latter should shut down the SuperPhenix (if their alliance came to power). Unfortunately, this is what happened in 1997. It was a very unfortunate decision. It is a major mistake. Well, we have to live with it. Do you think that fast breeder reactors will get a fresh lease of life in France? Yes, I am sure that fast breeder reactors will be developed in France and other countries as well in future because you cannot imagine long-term use of nuclear energy without breeders. Breeder reactors are really the ultimate goal of nuclear energy from fission. Why is Russia pressing ahead with breeders now? The Japanese went ahead with breeders too but had a problem with the Monju reactor. The Japanese had a leak of sodium [from Monju]. As a consequence, Monju remained shut down for many years. But recently, after a series of safety
