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French nuclear plants to help fund energy goals: PM

Jean-Marc Ayrault unveils plans to finance energy transition with funds from nuclear plants on top of carbon tax levied on fossil fuels from 2014.

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France will use some of the proceeds from its nuclear power plants, alongside a new carbon tax, to help fund an overhaul of the country's energy policy, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, reports Reuters.

He did not specify the size of the contribution from nuclear power or how it would be applied.

Ayrault was detailing objectives set out by President Francois Hollande on Friday to cut fossil fuel use to support a long-term goal to halve energy consumption.

In addition to the flagship carbon tax, to be levied on fossil fuels from next year and which should raise 4 billion euros ($5.4 billion) in 2016, Ayrault said the government would raise funds from nuclear plants

"We will also mobilize part of the financial gains made on the existing nuclear fleet," Ayrault told a conference in Paris.

Read more of this report from Reuters.