A key step has just been taken. ASNR has just given the green light to the prospect of an extension of the lifespan of the 20 reactors of 1,300 Mwe beyond their fourth periodic review, that is to say after 40 years. However, work will be necessary, which will spread from 2026 to 2040.
It left for 10 years. In a decision taken officially on July 1, 2025, and shared in a press release on the 3rd, the Nuclear and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) validated the principle of conditional prosecution of the operation of all French nuclear reactors whose electrical power provided corresponds to the bearing of the 1,300 electric megawatts (Mwe).
This concerns the following sites:
- Paluel: 4 reactors;
- Saint-Alban: 2 reactors;
- Flamanville: 2 reactors;
- Belleville-sur-Loire: 2 reactors;
- Cattenom: 4 reactors;
- Golfech: 2 reactors;
- Nogent-sur-Seine: 2 reactors;
- Penly: 2 reactors.
In addition to these installations, the French park consists of nuclear reactors with an electrical power of 900 MWE (32 reactors) and 1,450 MWe (4 reactors). Added to this is the European pressurized nuclear reactor (EPR) of Flamanville 3, which reaches 1,650 Mwe, and whose first coupling with the network took place in December 2024. The suite will be written with the EPR 2.
L’Astnr is a young independent administrative authority, founded in early 2025. It is the fruit of the merger between the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) and the Institute of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).
In fact, ASNR’s decision, taken after a consultation phase, followed by a public consultation, opens the way to an extension beyond 40 years for certain reactors-the oldest were connected to the network in 1984 for an effective start of operation in 1985. For the most recent, its commercial start took place in 1994.
As the ASNR notes, a 40 -year hypothesis of operation had been retained during the design of certain reactor materials. This does not in principle invalidate the possibility of continuing beyond this time horizon. However, this requires updating design studies or carrying out equipment replacements.
Specific work and fittings to provide
As some reactors have reached this 40-year horizon, the pursuit beyond requires developments and works within the framework of this fourth periodic review which, in the words of the ASNR, ” is of particular importance ». In France, each reactor is the subject of a visit every 10 years.
Has, and L’Snr « consider that all the provisions provided by EDF and those it prescribes open the prospect of a continuation of operation of these reactors for the following ten years “, These remain” major safety improvements “To carry out and additional provisions” necessary To achieve this.
« This decision closes the so-called generic phase of review, which concerns the studies and modifications of the installations common to all the 1300 Mwe reactors, these being designed on a similar model », Notes the ASNR. Now make way for more specific exams and work, reactor by reactor.
In a press release, EDF points out that the first 4th ten-year reactor visit 1,300 Mwe will take place on reactor No. 1 of the Paluel nuclear power plant, in early January 2026. Preparatory work has already been underway since mid-2024. According to ASNR, work for all this range of reactors will be completed in 2040.
The investments necessary for the entire 1,300 MWE range will be 6 billion euros. These are already integrated within the framework of the Grand Carénage, a vast plan launched in 2014 intended to clearly extend the operating time of all existing nuclear power plants, via a vast effort of renovation and modernization.
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