GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -The United States is the largest producer of nuclear power, while France has the largest share of electricity generated by nuclear power, at about 70%. China has the fastest growing nuclear power programme with 16 new reactors under construction, followed by India, which has 8 under construction.

Detailed explanation-2: -France has the greatest share of nuclear power in total electricity generation of any country worldwide. In 2021, nuclear energy accounted for 69 percent of France’s total electricity production. By comparison, the share of nuclear electricity generation in the U.S. stood at less than 20 percent.

Detailed explanation-3: -France’s nuclear reactors are now operating at about 70% of capacity, data from grid operator RTE show. That’s roughly the same level as a year ago. Still, its nuclear output is historically low, when compared with the average from 2018-2022.

Detailed explanation-4: -France is one of the five “Nuclear Weapons States” under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, but is not known to possess or develop any chemical or biological weapons. France is the only member of the European Union to possess independent (non-NATO) nuclear weapons.

Detailed explanation-5: -It has no oil, no gas and her coal resources are very poor and virtually exhausted. French policy makers saw only one way for France to achieve energy independence: nuclear energy, a source of energy so compact that a few pounds of fissionable uranium is all the fuel needed to run a big city for a year.