France Clears EDF to Begin Site Preparation for Two EPR2 Reactors at Gravelines

A decree published in France's Journal Officiel on August 22 grants EDF the environmental authorization to begin preparing the Gravelines nuclear plant in Nord for two new EPR2 reactors. The authorized works include site platforms, earthworks, soil reinforcement, relocating the plant's rail terminal, a watertight enclosure beneath the future reactor buildings, and an intake channel, mainly in Gravelines and Loon-Plage. Signed by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and two ministers, the decree is not the license to create the reactors themselves. The two 1,600 megawatt units belong to the six-reactor EPR2 program announced in February 2022, with the first pair at Penly targeted for service around 2038.