France’s President Emmanuel Macron has shifted course on his predecessor’s plans to reduce the share of nuclear power in electricity production. François Hollande, who promised to cut the nuclear power share to 50% during his campaign in 2012, was unable to fulfill this commitment and ultimately closed the Fessenheim power plant in Haut-Rhin in 2020.
Now, President Macron has turned to building six new reactors, EPR 2, a simplified version of the current Flamanville EPR. The State plans to construct three pairs of EPR 2 reactors on existing sites: first in Penly by 2035, then in Gravelines and Bugey in the following decade. Despite these ambitious plans, there are significant financial challenges ahead. EDF’s initial estimates put the cost of the program at 51.7 billion euros, but this has already been revised upwards to 67.4 billion euros.
President Macron remains undeterred and has long-term plans to construct eight more EPR 2 reactors. However, financing for this program remains a major obstacle, with EDF likely requiring state aid to proceed. In addition, challenges related to waste disposal and dismantling older power plants must be addressed before new reactors can be built. Despite these challenges, President Macron remains committed to pushing forward with his plans for expanding nuclear energy in France.
