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.

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.

Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.