France has approved construction of a small modular nuclear reactor.
The Nuward SMR, developed by EDF and French partners, received regulatory approval to build a first-of-a-kind plant. The 170-megawatt reactor uses proven pressurized water technology in a compact, factory-built design that can power 300,000 homes.
Small modular reactors offer lower upfront costs and faster construction than traditional nuclear plants. The standardized design allows components to be manufactured in factories and assembled on site, reducing construction time from a decade to about three years.
France, which already derives 70 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy, sees SMRs as key to replacing aging reactors and maintaining low-carbon baseload power. The Nuward design includes passive safety systems that operate without external power.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commercial operation by 2030. If successful, France could export the technology to other nations seeking reliable, zero-emission electricity without large nuclear plant infrastructure.
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