Nuclear Power Debate in Europe: France Enters Bidding for Six New Reactors

French state-owned electricity company EDF has launched a tender process for the construction of six new EPR2 nuclear reactors, which are expected to come online from the 2030s.

French Nuclear Renaissance: Tender Process Begins for Six New Reactors French state-owned electricity company EDF has launched a formal tender process in March 2026 for the construction of six new EPR2 nuclear reactors, which have been approved by the French government. These reactors will be based on the EPR2 design, which was developed from the long-delayed Flamanville 3 EPR project.

The EPR2 design has been revised to provide a standardized model that simplifies construction, reduces costs, and extends the operational lifespan. The French government views these reactors as key components of energy security, climate commitments, and economic competitiveness.

The reactors are expected to come online in a phased manner from 2035, coinciding with the retirement of some existing power plants and the depletion of current nuclear capacity. France remains one of the world's leading nuclear energy producers, accounting for approximately a third of the European Union's electricity production.

This development highlights the deep divisions among EU member states over nuclear energy, with some countries, such as France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Hungary, actively exploring nuclear energy as a low-carbon option, while others, like Germany, Austria, and some Scandinavian countries, are firmly opposed to nuclear energy.