France has signed a far-reaching strategic contract bringing together government ministries, major industry players, and trade unions. The agreement aims to synchronise efforts for extending the operational life of existing nuclear reactors and delivering a new fleet of advanced reactors to meet growing energy demands and climate targets.
The contract, signed in Paris on 10 June 2025, comes after President Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 declaration to make nuclear power central to France’s low-carbon strategy. Macron proposed the construction of six new EPR2 reactors, with the potential for eight more, alongside a strong push to keep current plants operating safely beyond 50 years.
Until now, however, a unified coordination framework had been missing. The newly formed contract addresses that gap, covering the period from 2025 to 2028. It was endorsed by key institutions including EDF, Framatome, CEA, Orano, ANDRA, and representatives from the French nuclear supply chain, in the presence of Ministers Marc Ferracci (Energy and Industry) and Eric Lombard (Economy).
Four Strategic Pillars
The agreement rests on four central themes:
- Industrial Delivery: Strengthening supply chain resilience and ensuring timely, high-quality completion of projects.
- Workforce Development: Recruiting and training 10,000 workers per year to support construction and operation needs.
- Innovation and Research: Expanding investments in small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced fuel cycles, and radioactive waste solutions.
- Climate and Sovereignty: Embedding nuclear within France’s long-term strategy for carbon neutrality and energy independence.
Speaking at the signing, Minister Ferracci noted, “This contract is a turning point — a bold and necessary step to align our national priorities with the realities of our energy future.” Minister Lombard added that the 2025–2028 period will be “pivotal” in responding to climate challenges and geopolitical pressures on energy supply.
Global Relevance and African Lessons
France’s strategy may hold valuable insights for African nations developing nuclear energy capabilities. With countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Egypt making progress in nuclear infrastructure planning, the French model illustrates the benefits of aligning political will, industrial capacity, and human resources development under a unified strategy.
Key lessons include:
- Centralised coordination to streamline efforts across multiple actors.
- Early investment in workforce training to avoid future bottlenecks.
- A research-driven approach to position nuclear as a long-term energy solution, including the development of SMRs for countries with smaller grid capacities.
As France reaffirms its nuclear ambitions, it sends a strong message to the global energy community: nuclear power, when strategically aligned, can be a cornerstone of national development, climate responsibility, and energy security.
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