EPR2, Back End of the Future, Cycle Closure… The Nuclear Policy Council Speeds Up

[Updated on March 19] Meeting on March 17, 2025, the fourth Nuclear Policy Council (CPN) marked a new strategic milestone for the future of nuclear energy in France. Covering the financing of the EPR2 program, uranium sovereignty, and the development of fourth-generation reactors, the State reaffirms its ambition and provides visibility to the industry.

Highly anticipated, the fourth Nuclear Policy Council (CPN) was convened on Monday, March 17, 2025, by the President of the Republic. Held three years after the Belfort speech in which Emmanuel Macron announced the revival of nuclear power, this CPN underscores the strategic significance of this energy choice and announces its integration into the upcoming Multi-Year Energy Program (PPE3). The industry was eagerly awaiting strong signals to commit to significant investments, whether for the EPR2 program, the fuel cycle, or the development of fourth-generation reactors.

Timeline and Financial Plan for the EPR2 Program

In a statement, the Élysée explained that it had taken stock of the implementation of the EPR2 program, which aims to construct six new high-power reactors at Penly, Gravelines, and Bugey. The statement mentions “a first commissioning by 2038.” Until then, the CPN is asking EDF “to intensify cost and schedule management efforts and to present by the end of the year a committed cost and timeline estimate.” It also expects the “industrial mastery of the program to be strengthened,” which will be monitored by the Interministerial Delegation for New Nuclear.
As part of the critical path for this program, the State is announcing the key principles of the financial plan for the EPR2 program, which will need to be submitted to Brussels for a final investment decision in 2026. Thus, the program’s financing will involve “a subsidized State loan covering at least half of the construction costs and a contract for difference on nuclear production at a maximum price of €100/MWh (2024 euros).”

Uranium Supply and the Back End of the Future program

“In order to ensure our uranium sovereignty in the current geopolitical context, the CPN has validated a strategy for expanding Orano’s mining activities,” states the Élysée’s communiqué. But more importantly, a major industrial program has been approved, confirming the renewal of facilities for the backend of the nuclear fuel cycle at La Hague. This is known as the “Back End of the Future” program. “This program includes, notably, the storage of spent fuel in a new pool to be installed at La Hague, which must be commissioned by 2040 to meet the needs of the existing nuclear fleet and the EPR2 reactors,” clarifies the Élysée. This facility will be primarily financed by EDF “as the client for these future installations,” and its governance will involve Orano, EDF, CEA, and the State.

Innovative Small Reactors

The Élysée highlights the success of the France 2030 call for projects on small modular and advanced reactors. To recall, eleven startups[1] were selected by the State’s services. It also announces the continuation of the program supporting the development of these technologies through the General Secretariat for Investment (SGPI). These project developers are looking for sites to install their demonstrators. Consequently, the CPN is inviting the CEA to make “relevant site data from Marcoule and Cadarache available to interested companies and to engage in discussions for potential project siting at these locations for the most advanced initiatives.”

Cycle Closure

The Council also confirmed France’s ambition to achieve the closure of the nuclear fuel cycle, targeted for the second half of the century. It emphasizes that significant technological developments are needed to produce “fuels from plutonium and depleted uranium, to master fast neutron reactors, and to enable fuel reprocessing.” Therefore, the CPN is asking “industrial players (EDF, Framatome, Orano), the CEA, and all stakeholders involved in fast neutron research” to develop a work program and design an industrial program that will allow production. ■