EDF Can Operate 20 Nuclear Reactors Beyond 40 Years

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--France's nuclear regulator has cleared the way for Électricité de France (EDF) (Paris) to operate 20 of its reactors beyond 40 years.

The permit comes after the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) carried out its latest periodic review, which happens every 10 years. It means that the plants using EDF's 1,300-megawatt (MW) reactors are cleared for life extensions. EDF, according to Reuters, is expected to spend up to 6 billion euro (US$7 billion) on extension projects for the 20 reactors, which came online between 1985 and 1993. The reactors are one of four designs used by EDF, with the others being 900 MW, 1,450 MW (N4) and the latest 1,620-MW EPR reactor. The 32 900-MW reactors entered commercial operation between 1977 and 1988 and were cleared for operational life beyond 40 years in 2021.

"The 20 1,300-MWe nuclear reactors currently operating in France are reaching their 40th anniversary," the ASNR stated. "Following extensive analysis and expert appraisal work, as well as extensive public involvement in its review process, the ASNR has ruled on the conditions necessary to allow these reactors to continue operating and on the safety improvements that EDF will have to implement during their periodic review." Industrial Info is tracking 137 nuclear-related projects in France, covering new build, decommissioning, extensions, maintenance and unit additions worth more than US$106 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

France has revised its nuclear strategy in recent years, pivoting away from a previous plan to reduce the country's reliance on nuclear power to 50%. Today, nuclear power supplies 70% of France's power from 57 reactors, which it also exports to neighbouring European countries. This year the government confirmed that reactors will, if proven safe, be allowed to operate beyond 50 years and 60 years. It wants EDF to boost the output from existing reactors to 400 terawatt-hours (TWh) while also pursuing plans to build six new EPR2 nuclear reactors, two on the Penly site, two on the Gravelines site and two reactors on the Bugey site. A financial investment decision on these projects is expected next year. This may be followed by a plan to add eight more EPR2 reactors going forward. The government and EDF are also working on creating a working small modular reactor (SMR) design based on pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology with the goal of launching a prototype by the early 2030s.

EDF has struggled in recent years with the availability of its nuclear fleet due to stress corrosion issues at some reactors which forced lengthy outages. This has led to costly hits to its financials as has the lengthy delays to the rollout of its new EPR nuclear projects, including its first one in France, Flamanville 3, which was commissioned last December after a 12-year delay and significant cost overruns. For additional information, see December 30, 2024, article--Flamanville 3: France's Newest and Most Powerful Nuclear Reactor is Online.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).