popular articles

France: EPR debate in Gravelines, energy and economic issues

The Commission nationale du débat public (National Commission for Public Debate) is launching a consultation on the construction of two EPR reactors at Gravelines, a strategic project for the French energy mix.

Please share:

The public debate on the construction of two new EPR nuclear reactors at Gravelines opens against a backdrop of a reassessment of energy priorities in France.
From September 17 to January 17, the French National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) is organizing consultations to gather the opinions of stakeholders.
The project is part of the government’s drive to revitalize nuclear power, with plans to build six new-generation reactors to boost low-carbon electricity production capacity.
Gravelines, already home to six 900 MW reactors, has been selected to host two additional 1,600 MW reactors.
The challenges of this project are many: ensuring security of energy supply, maintaining industrial competitiveness and meeting France’s climate commitments.
Debates will be held in several cities, including Dunkirk and Calais, and online, with the participation of various players from the energy sector and civil society.

Economic and technical challenges of the EPR2 project

Topics of discussion include the technical design of EPR2 reactors, investment costs, nuclear safety, and the impact on employment and the local environment.
Delays and cost overruns on the Flamanville EPR project, which recently started its nuclear reaction after years of technical difficulties, are fuelling discussions on the economic viability of this technology.
The CNDP intends to discuss the financial and technical risks associated with the EPR2 to better inform the public and decision-makers.
The management of nuclear waste, radioactivity and environmental risks will also be central issues.
These complex technical issues, although mastered by the players in the sector, require clear communication to prevent any risk of rejection of the project by local populations.
Transparency and access to information are key to building stakeholder confidence.

Local impact and outlook for the Hauts-de-France region

The Gravelines project is seen as an opportunity to boost the economy of the Hauts-de-France region, which is facing a number of industrial challenges.
The construction of the reactors could generate several thousand direct and indirect jobs, both in the construction and operating phases.
However, the economic benefits must be weighed against the colossal investments required and the technical uncertainties.
Local authorities and some business representatives are in favor, arguing that the installation of these reactors could strengthen the region’s position as a major energy hub in Europe.
However, critics point to the need to objectively assess the costs and benefits of the investment, avoiding optimistic extrapolations based on previous projects that have met with setbacks.

France’s energy choices

The debate over the Gravelines reactors goes beyond regional and national borders, touching on the fundamental choices of French energy policy.
In a European context marked by tensions over energy supply and pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power is seen by some as an unavoidable solution.
For others, the question arises of diversifying energy sources, with a more cautious view of the additional costs and delays associated with EPR reactors.
The consultation conducted by the CNDP is an exercise in participatory democracy, designed to better identify the expectations and concerns of the players involved, from the energy sector to local residents.
The aim is to enable informed decision-making, based on a rigorous assessment of the economic, technical and environmental impacts.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

EDF and Siparex are mobilising a new €300 million investment fund to strengthen strategic companies in the nuclear supply chain amid industrial revival driven by the EPR2 reactor programme.
Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners will lead construction of North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor, with commercial operation expected in 2030.
Aecon Kiewit Nuclear Partners will lead construction of North America’s first grid-scale small modular reactor, with commercial operation expected in 2030.
Russia and Vietnam have signed a nuclear roadmap aimed at strengthening technological cooperation, including a commercial nuclear plant and a scientific centre by 2030.
Russia and Vietnam have signed a nuclear roadmap aimed at strengthening technological cooperation, including a commercial nuclear plant and a scientific centre by 2030.
The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management has revised upward its evaluation of the Cigéo underground storage project, with a maximum potential cost of €37.5bn ($40.4bn) over 150 years.
The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management has revised upward its evaluation of the Cigéo underground storage project, with a maximum potential cost of €37.5bn ($40.4bn) over 150 years.
The European Commission has requested Prague to suspend the award of a CZK200bn contract to KHNP, citing suspicions of state aid that may breach European law.
Czech justice has suspended the signing of a major contract between Prague and South Korea’s KHNP, following a complaint by French group EDF challenging the fairness of the Dukovany nuclear project tender.
Czech justice has suspended the signing of a major contract between Prague and South Korea’s KHNP, following a complaint by French group EDF challenging the fairness of the Dukovany nuclear project tender.
Thanks to recent strategic agreements, Utah is establishing itself as a key regional hub for the development and production of Small Modular Reactors, boosting a rapidly growing industry at the heart of the United States.
Thanks to recent strategic agreements, Utah is establishing itself as a key regional hub for the development and production of Small Modular Reactors, boosting a rapidly growing industry at the heart of the United States.
The United States is multiplying energy agreements with Romania and Bulgaria, focusing on civil nuclear power and hydropower storage to deepen its influence in strategic regional projects.
The United States is multiplying energy agreements with Romania and Bulgaria, focusing on civil nuclear power and hydropower storage to deepen its influence in strategic regional projects.
U.S.-based Energy Fuels extracted 151,400 pounds of uranium in April, reaching an unprecedented level since the opening of its Pinyon Plain mine, while underground drilling reveals exceptionally high grades.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.
The French Parliament has approved Bernard Fontana's appointment as CEO of EDF, paving the way for a new industrial phase in the nuclear sector under close scrutiny from public and industrial stakeholders.
The French Parliament has approved Bernard Fontana's appointment as CEO of EDF, paving the way for a new industrial phase in the nuclear sector under close scrutiny from public and industrial stakeholders.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe signed a new agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium to ensure the continuity of the development of Poland’s first nuclear power plant project.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe signed a new agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium to ensure the continuity of the development of Poland’s first nuclear power plant project.
Two French MPs have raised concerns over the massive cost overruns of the Hinkley Point nuclear project, describing it as a “financial sinkhole” for EDF, now fully owned by the State.
The Chinese State Council has just authorized the construction of ten new nuclear reactors across five strategic sites, highlighting a massive acceleration in energy ambitions to achieve record installed capacity by 2025.
The Chinese State Council has just authorized the construction of ten new nuclear reactors across five strategic sites, highlighting a massive acceleration in energy ambitions to achieve record installed capacity by 2025.
Axpo reconnected unit 1 of the Beznau nuclear power plant to the grid after two weeks of refuelling, marking the start of a new operating cycle for the Swiss facility.
Axpo reconnected unit 1 of the Beznau nuclear power plant to the grid after two weeks of refuelling, marking the start of a new operating cycle for the Swiss facility.
The Czech competition regulator has dismissed EDF’s appeal, confirming the selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for the construction of new nuclear capacity at Dukovany.
The Czech competition regulator has dismissed EDF’s appeal, confirming the selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for the construction of new nuclear capacity at Dukovany.
Trondheimsleia Kjernekraft AS was founded to lead a nuclear plant project based on several small modular reactors in the Trøndelag region, targeting up to 1500 MWe of installed capacity.
Flamanville’s EPR nuclear reactor experienced a temporary shutdown on Friday and Saturday, without affecting its ramp-up schedule, EDF confirmed.
Flamanville’s EPR nuclear reactor experienced a temporary shutdown on Friday and Saturday, without affecting its ramp-up schedule, EDF confirmed.
Japanese operator Tepco has completed the extraction of a second radioactive debris sample from the damaged Fukushima reactor, a critical technical step in a decommissioning project set to span several decades.
Japanese operator Tepco has completed the extraction of a second radioactive debris sample from the damaged Fukushima reactor, a critical technical step in a decommissioning project set to span several decades.
US-based enCore Energy continues to optimise its uranium project in Texas with a record installation rate and strengthened leadership team.
US-based enCore Energy continues to optimise its uranium project in Texas with a record installation rate and strengthened leadership team.
EDF reconnected the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor to the power grid on 19 April, two days ahead of schedule, following a series of technical maintenance works and adjustments on critical components.
TerraPower has informed the UK regulator of its intention to submit the Natrium reactor design for evaluation under the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, the first step toward international deployment of this nuclear technology.
TerraPower has informed the UK regulator of its intention to submit the Natrium reactor design for evaluation under the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, the first step toward international deployment of this nuclear technology.
Framatome and Sizewell C have signed a contract for the supply, qualification, and pre-assembly of conventional instrumentation for the EPR reactors under construction at Sizewell, strengthening their collaboration on this large-scale project.
Framatome and Sizewell C have signed a contract for the supply, qualification, and pre-assembly of conventional instrumentation for the EPR reactors under construction at Sizewell, strengthening their collaboration on this large-scale project.
Uzbekistan has launched the construction of auxiliary buildings for its future modular nuclear reactor, the first export project for the Russian RITM-200N technology.
Uzbekistan has launched the construction of auxiliary buildings for its future modular nuclear reactor, the first export project for the Russian RITM-200N technology.

Advertising