MEDIA-France to scale down breeder nuclear reactor project -Les Echos

MEDIA-France to scale down breeder nuclear reactor project -Les Echos: ** Les Echos reports that French state nuclear agency CEAhas proposed to the government to scale down a planned prototypebreeder reactor to 100-200 megawatt from 600 MW.** Research into the Astrid (Advanced Sodium TechnologicalReactor for Industrial Demonstration) project was granted a 652million euro budget in 2010 and a decision on construction isexpected around 2019.** CEA could not immediately comment** Les Echos says already up to 700 million euros spent onthe project, cost could be 900 million by 2019, while newlyrestructured French nuclear industry has other priorities.** France might cooperate with China on breeder project.** Breeders can burn spent uranium fuel, plutonium and othernuclear waste products. Russia is only nation to have workingbreeder reactors. Background on Astrid project and breedertechnology: tinyurl.com/y84d2hvcNote: Reuters has not verified this story and does not vouchfor its accuracy(Reporting by Geert De Clercq; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)