France risks losing nuclear energy advantage amid outdated reactors

France continues to rely heavily on nuclear energy, producing approximately 70% of its energy from this source. However, in 2022, the country faced significant challenges as the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, which threatened energy supplies across Europe. Notably, half of France's nuclear power plants were offline during this critical time. To complicate matters, the French government initiated the nationalization process of its nuclear power operator, Électricité de France (EDF), which caused unrest among employee shareholders. In the same year, President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the country's need for a nuclear renaissance, announcing plans to build up to 14 new reactors in an effort to transition away from fossil fuels. Unfortunately, the existing nuclear fleet showed signs of aging, with the mean age of the 56 reactors reaching 36.1 years by 2021. Maintenance needs arose due to stress corrosion issues found in several reactors, prompting shutdowns and leaving some still offline today. The delay and cost overruns of the new Flamanville reactor, completed in 2025 after massive investments and delays, exemplify France's struggle with nuclear project management. Additionally, an electrical blackout in 2025 emphasized the challenges of integrating renewable sources into the power grid, raising questions about France's future ability to generate energy reliably and cost-effectively. Despite having a long-standing leadership position in nuclear energy, recent developments suggest that France may be jeopardizing its role and influence over European energy policy.