France weighs extending nuclear reactors past 60 years amid safety concerns

The Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection released a reassuring assessment on 22 October, stating that, based on current knowledge, no technical barrier prevents extending the operating life of France’s nuclear fleet beyond the traditional 60-year limit. It simultaneously launched an online public consultation regarding the continuation of the 56 reactors that generate more than two-thirds of national electricity.

In contrast, Greenpeace Luxembourg presented a study commissioned from a German physicist that identified major safety deficiencies in reactor 1 of the Catenom plant in Moselle, including insufficient redundancy, seismic resilience, and protection against natural hazards, aircraft impacts and drones. EDF maintains that after four decades of service, the fleet remains safe and could be run up to 60 years or longer, pointing to U.S. reactors already approved for up to 80 years. A 2025 Court of Auditors report described the life-extension programme as financially demanding and stressed the need for tighter oversight, while also noting that maintenance costs have risen as reactors age.