5th Nuclear Policy Council

Source : French Presidency, 12 March 2026 (translation)

The President of the Republic convened the 5th Nuclear Policy Council (CPN) on Thursday, March 12, 2026. In line with the previous Nuclear Policy Councils held since 2022, this meeting sets out the main strategic directions of France’s national nuclear policy.

The recent international context confirms the energy policy choices made by the President of the Republic to ensure France’s energy independence by moving away from fossil fuels. The Nuclear Policy Council confirms the need to revive nuclear power in France in order to guarantee national sovereignty, ensure affordable energy for French citizens and businesses, and combat climate change.

During this meeting, the Council took note of progress in the implementation of the EPR2 program, which aims to build six new large-scale reactors at Penly, Gravelines, and Bugey. The Nuclear Policy Council also acknowledged the conclusions of the audit of the construction program for six EPR2-type reactors, conducted at the beginning of 2026 by the Interministerial Delegation for New Nuclear Projects (DINN). EDF has committed to meeting the construction cost target of €72.8 billion (2020 euros) as well as the program’s schedule. The Council asked EDF to implement the identified recommendations by the end of 2026 and to report on them as part of the monitoring carried out by the DINN.

The Nuclear Policy Council also confirmed the key principles and main parameters of the financing and regulatory framework for the EPR2 program. The concessional state loan covering 60% of the total cost of the EPR2 program will be financed by the savings fund of the Caisse des Dépôts.

Lastly, the Council confirmed the objective of securing the final investment decision by EDF’s Board of Directors before the end of 2026, with a first commissioning targeted by 2038. Consequently, it asked all government services and EDF to take all necessary measures to finalize ongoing discussions with the European Commission according to a timetable consistent with this objective.

The Council also took note of progress in the “Downstream of the Future” program led by Orano, which aims to renew downstream nuclear fuel cycle facilities at La Hague to meet the needs of the existing nuclear fleet and, subsequently, the EPR2 reactors. A first phase involves constructing, by 2040, two spent fuel storage pools, a new storage facility for plutonium-bearing materials, and a new recycled fuel fabrication plant known as “Melox 2.” A second phase covers the construction of a new spent fuel reprocessing plant, called “La Hague 2,” as well as a third spent fuel storage pool. The Nuclear Policy Council also welcomed the principle agreement reached between Orano and EDF to secure progress on the program up to the final investment decisions. It asked them, in coordination with the State and by the end of 2026, to finalize the terms of the program’s financing agreement in order to ensure commissioning of the first phase of the project by 2040. It confirmed the program’s designation as a “Major Construction Project” and asked government services to implement the measures necessary to accelerate procedures and simplify the requirements applicable to the program.

In light of short-, medium-, and long-term challenges in the supply of natural uranium, and on the basis of preparatory work carried out, the Nuclear Policy Council confirmed the launch of a new, ambitious program to close the nuclear fuel cycle, aimed at mobilizing all stakeholders (contracting authorities, research bodies, and emerging players). The Council considers that long-term uranium supply challenges justify launching such a program, which would make it possible to eliminate the need for importing natural uranium by around 2100. The Nuclear Policy Council therefore decided to initiate a four-year study phase to design these facilities based on national feedback and experience, and then, by around 2030, to consider launching the construction of a first fast neutron reactor. The Nuclear Policy Council decided to establish a program management structure bringing together representatives from the CEA, EDF, Framatome, and Orano, and asked it to report annually on the program’s progress. The Council requested that the financing plan include European and international partnerships, as well as contributions from industry. Mobilizing all stakeholders, particularly emerging players within this strategy, will be a major challenge.

Finally, the Council welcomed the announcement of additional funding provided under the France 2030 program for two small heat‑generating reactors (Calogena and Jimmy). The Council also took note of the continued assessment of other applications, which will make it possible to award additional funding to other projects in the coming months. It asked the CEA to continue making relevant site data from Marcoule and Cadarache available to project developers who request it, and to put in place the conditions required to eventually make land available to the most advanced project leaders. It mandated the Government to carry out regulatory simplifications in order to adapt legislation to the specific constraints of these projects.