France - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
France has 57 operable reactors at a variety of coastal and inland sites. During 2026 there have been a higher than usual number of curtailments to production due to low river levels or high temperatures.
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 regulator decided that EDF’s 1300 MWe reactors could operate beyond 40 years if "necessary upgrades" are carried out.
Table Fr.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Carbon dioxide emissions avoided (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 63,000 | 65,690 | 0 | - | 14,846 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
In February 2022 President Macron announced plans to build six new large reactors by 2050. A study would also be launched into the possibility of eight additional reactors, supported by the deployment of SMRs. The large units would be EPR2 units, a development of the EPR design.
Preparatory work for the first pair of EPR2 units was authorized to start at Penly in 2024, with first concrete planned around 2029. Authorization for preparatory work for two units at Gravelines was given in August 2026. The third site for the first tranche of EPR2s is Bugey. There are six candidate sites for the second tranche of EPR2 units: Nogent-sur-Seine, Golfech, Tricastin, Blayais, Creys-Malville and Chinon. A Nuclear Policy Council decision on which four of the sites, each with two reactors, would be chosen is expected before end 2026.
In February 2026 France published the third PPE (Programmation Pluriannuelle de l’Énergie), the country's official 10-year energy roadmap for 2026-2035. On nuclear power, PPE3 abandons the decommissioning plans of prior versions of the report, supports extending the lifespan of existing reactors, and confirms the construction of six new EPR2 reactors, with the first to enter service from 2038. It retains the option for eight additional EPR2 reactors, and consolidation and extension of operation of the 57 existing reactors.
In March 2026 the Nuclear Policy Council confirmed the first six-unit programme, a €72.8 billion construction-cost target in 2020 euros, financing principles including a subsidised state loan covering 60% of programme cost, and the objective of an EDF final investment decision before the end of 2026.
Aside from the EPR2 programme, TechnicAtome, Naval Group, EDF and CEA in France have developed the Nuward NP-300 PWR design, with applications for power, heat and desalination. In September 2026 the Nuward CEO said that the company aims to start construction of the first of an initial fleet of 10 units in 2030.
Table Fr.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11,999 | 53,691 | - | 3300 | 6600 | - | 13200 (new build) | 3300 | 88,790 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
France has one of the world’s largest and most experienced nuclear power programmes, an extensive domestic nuclear supply chain, a full fuel cycle capability, a newly consolidated safety authority, and a formal policy to restore nuclear as a central pillar of energy sovereignty and decarbonization.
The strongest near-term capacity route is long-term operation of the existing fleet. France’s new build programme is strategically important and should rapidly progress to construction following the final investment decision before the end of 2026.
| Country Category | Expander |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Moderate-High Nuclear expansion is embedded in national energy policy, backed at presidential and government level, with six EPR2 reactors firmly identified and a further eight under consideration. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | High France possesses the full institutional architecture required for a major nuclear programme and an extensive domestic supply chain. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Moderate-High Sites, reactor technology, owner, licensing path, preparatory works, programme cost and financing structure are defined, but European state aid clearance and EDF's final investment decision remain outstanding. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate Delivery of six EPR2 reactors is credible, but the first unit 2038 operation date and subsequent build rate remain challenging given design, financing and supply chain requirements. |