• French President Emmanuel Macron advocates for a nuclear renaissance, proposing six new EPR2 reactors with a potential for eight more.
• EDF and Framatome collaborate to develop a streamlined EPR2 design, aiming for improved efficiency and safety.
• The Bugey site is selected as the first location for EPR2 construction, with preparations set to begin at Penly site in Normandy.

In a momentous announcement in February 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the stage was set for a nuclear renaissance in France. With an unwavering commitment to safety, he proposed extending the operation of all existing reactors while also introducing an ambitious program for six new EPR2 reactors, with the potential for an additional eight EPR2 reactors in the future.

Collaborating closely on the EPR2 project, EDF and Framatome are at the forefront of developing a streamlined version of the EPR design. The core objective is to integrate invaluable lessons from the construction and commissioning experiences of the current EPR reactor, alongside operational insights from France’s existing nuclear power plants. This approach ensures that the EPR2 reactors are designed to be more efficient and dependable than ever before.

To gain the green light for construction, EDF faces the critical task of securing the necessary financing and ensuring the profitability of the proposed EPR2 reactor, as mandated by France’s state audit office.

In May 2021, EDF submitted a comprehensive proposal to the State outlining the blueprint for constructing three pairs of EPR2 reactors. The proposed sites include Penly in Normandy, Gravelines, and either Bugey or Tricastin.

A recent decision by the Nuclear Policy Council, headed by President Macron, has now designated the Bugey site as the location for the first phase of the EPR2 construction program. This decision came with the endorsement of local elected representatives, marking a crucial step forward in the project’s implementation.

Presently, the Bugey plant comprises four operational 900 MWe pressurized water reactors (units 2-5), which began operations between 1978 and 1979. Although Bugey 1, a gas-cooled reactor, was permanently shut down in 1994, the site has been identified as the ideal location for the inaugural EPR2 reactor.

The Tricastin site is still under consideration for hosting future nuclear reactors, with ongoing technical studies and analyses being conducted.

EDF, with determination, announced its intent to seek the necessary authorizations to construct two EPR2 reactors at the Penly site in Normandy. Preparatory work for these reactors is slated to commence in mid-2024, signifying the company’s proactive approach towards expanding its nuclear capabilities.

With President Macron’s resolute leadership, France’s pursuit of a nuclear renaissance through the EPR2 reactor program continues to gather momentum, heralding a promising future for the country’s energy landscape.