Projection of future nuclear capacity in France in 2050

Long-term operation

French reactors were originally licensed to 30 years, with ten-year reviews to allow their continued operation.

In February 2021, France's nuclear safety regulator set the conditions for the continued operation of EDF's 900 MWe reactors beyond 40 years. In August 2023 the national nuclear regulatory authority approved the extended operation of Tricastin 1, making it the first reactor in the French fleet that can operate beyond 40 years.⁹⁸

In July 2010 EDF said that it was assessing the prospect of 60-year operating lifetimes for all its reactors. This would involve replacement of all steam generators (three in each 900 MWe reactor, four in each 1300 MWe unit) and other refurbishment.

In February 2023 President Macron’s office said the feasibility of extending the operating lifetimes of its nuclear reactors beyond 60 years would be explored.

In July 2025 the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority decided that EDF’s 1300 MWe reactors could operate beyond 40 years if "necessary upgrades" are carried out.⁹⁹

New capacity

Large-scale reactors

In February 2022 President Macron announced plans to build six new reactors by 2050 as part of the country’s National Low Carbon Strategy (Stratégie Nationale Bas-Carbone, SNBC), with the first reactor planned to be operational by 2035. A study would also be launched into the possibility of eight additional reactors, supported by the deployment of SMRs. In November 2022 the French Council of Ministers approved draft legislation intended to streamline the bureaucratic processes needed to build the new nuclear reactors near, or within, existing sites.

EDF has proposed building three pairs of EPR2 reactors at Penly, Gravelines and Bugey. Technical studies at a fourth site, Tricastin, will continue with a view to hosting future reactors there and EDF said in February 2023 that it also plans to explore the potential of building new reactors at its Blayais site. Preparatory work was authorized to start at Penly in 2024, with first concrete planned in 2027.¹⁰⁰

Small-scale reactors

TechnicAtome, Naval Group, EDF and CEA in France have developed the Nuward NP-300 PWR design, with applications for power, heat and desalination. The 340 MWe plant would consist of two 570 MWt/170 MWe reactors. First concrete for a demonstration unit was expected in 2030.¹⁰¹

However, in However, in July 2024, EDF said that in response to feedback from potential European customers it planned to optimise the Nuward design, focusing on existing and proven technologies, with the aim to finalise the conceptual design of the reactor by mid-2026 and "market a product for the 2030s.”¹⁰²