The French energy group EDF has announced a strong growth in its nuclear and hydropower generation in France in 2024. EDF's hydropower generation in France surged by more than 30% to over 50 TWh in 2024, one of the rainiest years in the country. In addition, nuclear power generation in France rose by nearly 13% to 362 TWh, thanks to improvements in the performance of unit shutdown, improved industrial controls related to the stress corrosion issue, and the absence of major climatic hazards and social movements. Its nuclear power generation in the United Kingdom remained stable at 37 TWh in 2024, despite unexpected shutdowns at Heysham 1 and Hartlepool in early 2024, thanks to the optimisation of planned outages.
In late December 2024, EDF connected the 1,650 MW Flamanville-3 EPR nuclear reactor, located in Normandy (north-western France), to the French national grid.
In 2022, France unveiled its energy strategy to 2030, including a recovery plan for nuclear power, under the terms of which 6 new EPRs (European Pressured Reactors II) are planned. France also plans to launch studies for the construction of 8 additional EPRs as well as SMRs (Small Modular Reactors), to attain 25 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2050.