France plans to accelerate its nuclear power expansion and is considering the construction of eight new plants by 2050, compared to previous proposals to build six. “For 2050, we need eight additional reactors or the capacity of eight additional reactors,” Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher told France Info on Monday. The power could also be generated from smaller, modular reactors instead of conventional power plants. “Let’s get this straight: We are adding additional nuclear power. It must be decided in 2024-2025 in order to be effective in 2050.” At the same time, France is a…