EDF Plans Small Nuclear Reactors Across Europe by 2035
France's state-owned energy giant is pushing ahead with a European small modular reactor strategy aimed at meeting rising demand for reliable electricity.
France's EDF plans to build a series of small modular nuclear reactors across Europe by 2035, using technology developed by its NUWARD subsidiary. The company is discussing possible projects with countries including Poland, Belgium and Finland, while its Italian business Edison is expected to participate in one of the first projects in Italy.
Europe is preparing for a new chapter in nuclear power, and France's state-owned energy company EDF wants to play a central role.
EDF plans to develop ten small modular nuclear reactors across Europe by 2035, according to a senior company executive. The strategy is designed to create a repeatable reactor programme while responding to growing demand for reliable electricity from industry and other large energy users. 0
The company is working through its NUWARD subsidiary and its Italian business Edison, with discussions taking place with several European countries about potential locations.
EDF Wants to Build a New Generation of Smaller Reactors
Small modular reactors, commonly known as SMRs, are smaller than conventional nuclear power plants and are designed with the possibility of producing reactors in a more standardized and repeatable way.
EDF's NUWARD technology is expected to produce around four hundred megawatts of electricity. The reactor design can also provide heat, giving it potential uses beyond electricity generation.
EDF says this combination could make the technology suitable for industrial customers that require a stable supply of power and heat. 1
Europe Is Looking for More Reliable Power
Europe's electricity system is facing growing demand from data centers, manufacturing, transport and other industries that are becoming increasingly dependent on electricity.
Nuclear power can provide electricity continuously, unlike generation sources whose output changes with weather conditions. That makes nuclear particularly relevant to industries that need dependable power around the clock.
EDF believes its smaller reactor design can compete for this market by providing predictable electricity and heat while using a technology that can potentially be deployed in multiple locations.
Poland, Belgium and Finland Are Being Considered
EDF is already discussing potential projects with several European countries, including Poland, Belgium and Finland.
These discussions are still part of the development process, meaning they should not be interpreted as confirmed construction projects in every country.
Italy is further along in EDF's plans. The company's Italian subsidiary Edison is expected to participate in the construction of one of the first reactors in the programme. 2
Italy Could Return to Nuclear Power
Italy could become one of the first European markets for EDF's new reactor technology.
The country abandoned nuclear power decades ago following a referendum, but its government is now moving toward legislation that could reopen the door to nuclear generation.
If the planned legislation receives final approval, Edison would have an opportunity to participate in the development of new nuclear capacity in Italy. 3
EDF Is Changing Its Approach to SMRs
EDF's current strategy follows a rethink of its earlier approach to small modular reactors.
Rather than pursuing the most technically ambitious design, the company has shifted toward technology that uses more established engineering principles. The goal is to reduce the risk of construction delays and cost overruns.
EDF's international nuclear development leadership has emphasized that the technology that reaches the market successfully may ultimately matter more than simply having the most advanced design. 4
The Programme Could Cost Tens of Billions
Building a European fleet of small reactors will require major investment. EDF expects the overall programme to require tens of billions of euros.
The company argues that building multiple reactors using a common design could help spread development costs and improve efficiency as the programme expands.
EDF is targeting electricity costs of around one hundred euros per megawatt-hour from the NUWARD reactors. The company says the figure should be compared with other forms of dispatchable generation, particularly gas-fired power, rather than directly with intermittent renewable generation. 5
EDF Wants to Catch Up in the Global SMR Race
EDF is entering a competitive global market for small modular reactors. Companies in the United States and other countries are also working to commercialize smaller nuclear systems.
The French company has been working to accelerate its programme after earlier design challenges forced it to reconsider its original SMR concept.
A successful European deployment could give EDF a reference project that would help it compete for future industrial and international customers.
Nuclear Power Could Become More Important to Europe's AI Economy
One reason the SMR race matters is the rapid growth of electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
AI companies are building increasingly powerful computing facilities that require large quantities of electricity. As these facilities expand across Europe, developers are searching for dependable sources of power that can operate continuously.
EDF has previously identified power-intensive industries and data centers as potential markets for its SMR technology. This means the future of AI infrastructure could become increasingly connected to the future of nuclear energy. 6
The Biggest Challenge Is Turning the Plan Into Reality
EDF's plans are ambitious, but nuclear projects are complex. Reactor licensing, financing, construction, supply chains and public acceptance can all affect the speed at which new plants are developed.
The company is therefore attempting to solve two problems at the same time: developing a reactor that can be built efficiently and creating enough projects to make the economics of mass production work.
Whether EDF can achieve its European target by 2035 will depend on how quickly these technical, regulatory and financial challenges can be resolved.
EDF's small-reactor strategy shows how Europe's energy future is beginning to connect nuclear power with the continent's growing demand for electricity, industry and artificial intelligence. The plan is still being developed, but if the technology can be deployed at scale, smaller nuclear plants could become an important part of Europe's next generation of power infrastructure.
