France selects sites for EPR2 nuclear reactor expansion

France is advancing its nuclear energy relaunch program, with six existing sites currently competing to host new EPR2 reactors. The government aims to select a maximum of four sites by the end of 2026, with each site potentially hosting two reactors. The candidate territories include Nogent-sur-Seine, Golfech, Tricastin, Blayais, Creys-Malville, and Chinon.

Selection criteria will include technical factors such as soil composition, electrical grid connectivity, and cooling capabilities, alongside political support from local and regional leaders.

In Gravelines, construction for a pair of EPR2 reactors is projected to begin in late 2026, with an estimated cost of 16.9 billion euros. This project is part of a broader national investment program—including sites at Penly and Bugey—that could reach between 72.8 and 80 billion euros. The Gravelines project is expected to employ up to 8,000 workers at its peak and create 1,200 permanent operational jobs, contributing to significant local economic and real estate shifts.