France authorises EDF to prepare Gravelines site for two new nuclear reactors

The French government has published a decree in the Official Journal authorising state-owned energy company EDF to begin preparatory site work for two future EPR2 reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power station in the Nord département. The decree was signed by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut and Minister for Cities Vincent Jeanbrun.

The approved activities include preparing platforms, setting up construction facilities, relocating the plant's rail terminal, earthworks, building a watertight enclosure beneath the future industrial block, ground reinforcement, initial civil engineering, and constructing a water intake channel. Protected wildlife and plants will be relocated during suitable periods, and a new public information centre will be built. Work will take place in the municipalities of Gravelines and Longs-Plage, with a car park located in Craivic and Bourbourg.

EDF stressed that the decree lets it gradually launch preparatory operations but does not authorise construction of the reactors themselves or of buildings meant to house nuclear materials or safety equipment. Environmental monitoring will continue throughout the works under supervision of the competent authorities.

Wider context

In February 2022, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to build six new-generation pressurised water reactors, with an option for two more. The first three site pairs chosen were Penly, Gravelines and Bugey. Gravelines is set to gain two 1,600 MW EPR reactors alongside its existing six 900 MW units. The project is significant for the Dunkirk region, which is working to decarbonise industry still reliant on fossil fuels. A final investment decision on the six new reactors is expected by the end of 2026.

The Gravelines plant already faced disruption this month when an influx of jellyfish at the port of Dunkirk forced an automatic shutdown of three generating units. The incident coincided with a record shortfall in France's nuclear output caused by drought, heat and other environmental constraints, affecting 13 of the country's 57 reactors at the time. Nuclear power accounts for roughly 70% of France's electricity generation.