The French nuclear safety authority, ASN, has authorised France’s state-owned power group EDF to upgrade safety standards on its 1,300 MW reactors, enabling them to operate beyond their original 40-year design lifespan. The decision affects 20 out of France’s fleet of 56 reactors, which are due to reach the end of their currently approved operating period between 2026 and 2040. According to EDF, preparatory work on the first reactor began in 2024. These reactors, located on the Belleville, Cattenom, Flamanville, Golfech, Nogent, Paluel, Penly and Saint-Alban sites, were commissioned between 1984 and 1994 and currently account for more than 40% of France’s nuclear power production. EDF plans to invest €6bn to extend their operational life.
In 2022, France unveiled its energy strategy to 2030, including an expansion of the lifetime of existing nuclear reactor after 50 years and a recovery plan for nuclear power. As part of the plan, France is expected to build 6 new EPRs (European Pressured Reactors II) and 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. Around 10 GW of new nuclear capacities should be committed by 2026.
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