France | Update France’s new plan Favouring big PWRs and wind power


A striking feature of France’s latest energy plan, PPE3 (Programmation Pluriannuels d’Energie 3), covering the period 2026-2035, is the increased role envisaged for nuclear power compared with the previous two plans, notably PPE2. PPE2, published in 2019, called for the shutting down of six nuclear reactors by 2028 and 14 by 2035 (the drop in nuclear output being compensated for by expansion of renewables and enhanced end user efficiency resulting in reduced final energy demand growth). The current PPE energy planning exercise started in 2016 with the publication of PPE1, covering the period 2016- 2023. PPE3 – which is said to be based on three priorities, energy sovereignty, carbon neutrality, and price competitiveness – calls for a “nuclear revival”, with the construction of six 1650 MWe EPR2 reactors for initial commissioning as early as 2038, an option for eight additional EPR2 reactors, life extension of France’s 57 existing reactors, and optimisation of the fleet, aiming for production of 380 TWh/y by 2030.


The six-EPR2 programme provides for the construction of new-generation reactors across three existing nuclear sites: Penly; Gravelines; and Bugey. EDF says these sites were chosen for “their industrial expertise, their proximity to the national electricity grid and their local roots.” Penly will be the lead project. “The pilot of the EPR2 programme, it benefits from the lessons learned from previous projects [with two 1300 MWe class PWRs already in operation at the site] and will serve as a reference for subsequent construction sites,” says EDF.


Gravelines will be second. Located in the Nord department, at 6 x 900 MWe it is already the largest nuclear power plant in Western Europe. Third is Bugey (4 x 900 MWe existing units), located in the heart of the Rhône Valley in the Ain department. “Its strategic location, at the crossroads of the major energy routes of south- east France, makes it an essential link in the programme,” says EDF.


To be deployed over several decades, the EPR2 programme anticipates that the first reactor will be commissioned at Penly in 2038.


Location of the six planned EPR2 PWRs. Source: EDF


Gravelines (Hauts-de-France)


Penly (Normandie)


Bugey (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)


Subsequent reactors will enter operation in stages, at


approximately 12 to 18 month intervals. The


provisional cost estimate for the six-EPR2 programme (final investment decision possible by end 2026) is €72.8 billion (2020 money) and the Interministerial Delegation for New Nuclear Technology (DINN) has conducted an audit of this estimate on behalf of the French government. Looking to the supply of heat exchangers to the EPR2 programme (six initial EPR2s, eight potential additional EPR2 units in France and “new construction programmes internationally”) EDF Group has announced an investment of nearly €100 million in the construction, by its subsidiary Arabelle Solutions, of a new factory of approximately 20 000 m2


in Chalon-sur-Saône. Production will include superheater dryers, as


well as high- and low-pressure heaters, with manufacturing scheduled to start in 2030. The plant will have a yearly production capacity corresponding to an EPR2’s full complement of this equipment.


The Chalon-sur-Saône project complements the investments announced in January 2026 for the Belfort site. In total the investments will “ensure the equipment for future EPR2 nuclear power plants is supplied via a French production line”, says EDF, with Arabelle Solutions “able to supply and integrate all the turbine hall equipment for nuclear power plants.” As well as expansion of nuclear capacity, PPE3 also looks to accelerated offshore wind development, “taking into account the industrial realities of the sector and the infrastructure and grid connection needs”, with a target of 15 GW set for 2035. Current offshore wind installed capacity: a modest 2 GW.


In line with this, a 10 GW offshore wind tender was announced on 2 April, equally split between floating and seabed mounted turbines. As to onshore wind power, PPE3 prioritises repowering of existing wind farms to “increase capacity and reduce visual impact.” The PPE3 onshore wind capacity target is 31 GW by 2030 and 35-40 GW by 2035, compared to about 24 GW currently.


Visualisation of two EPR2 PWRs at the Gravelines site. Source: EDF


PPE3 includes provision for a plan review, in 2027, the first time such a clause has been adopted in the PPE process.


www.modernpowersystems.com | May/June 2026 | 15


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