French nuclear regulator finds no obstacle to EDF reactors running beyond 60 years

A conditional green light

France's nuclear safety and radiation protection authority, the ASNR, said on Thursday, 22 October 2026 that it had identified no obstacle to running EDF's reactors beyond 60 years. Its president, Pierre-Marie Abadie, presented the draft opinion to the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices (OPECST) the same day. In an interview, he said the authority found no barrier for which EDF would lack options to act, meaning the utility has ways to keep each plant running. He framed the conclusion as provisional.

This position is taken based on the current state of knowledge.

Technical work still ahead

Abadie made clear that this is not yet a green light for the extension itself. He said several technical subjects still need substantial work from EDF to confirm that the proposed remedies actually work. The open questions include the wear of parts that cannot be replaced. He also stressed the need to detect ageing and degradation early, because the French fleet is highly standardised. The authority adds that EDF will have to invest, notably to prepare its plants for climate change.

Several technical subjects still require substantial work by EDF to confirm the effectiveness of these levers, to then integrate them in due course into the safety case submitted for review.

Fleet age and timetable

Most of France's reactors entered service in the 1980s, within a period of roughly fifteen years. Sources differ on the fleet size: Les Echos counts 57 reactors in operation in France, while BFMTV and 20 Minutes refer to 56 EDF reactors. Most are between 35 and 50 years old, and the newest, the Flamanville EPR, was launched in December 2024. Without extensions, the plants would be shut for good within a relatively short time. The 60-year mark is expected to arrive around 2030 to 2040. Nuclear power supplies about 68% of the French energy mix, according to 20 Minutes, and the reactors were originally designed to run for 40 years, while EDF and the state push for 50 years or even 60.

What happens next

The draft opinion is open to public consultation from 22 October until 2 December 2026. After that window closes, the ASNR will issue its final opinion. Abadie described the exercise as anticipatory, looking ahead to what will happen when the reactors reach 60 years.

The agency is not, however, granting an early review of the 60-year mark, and Abadie insisted on that distinction.

This is not an authorisation for early extension.