France Approves Nuclear Plant Dismantling

France has formally approved the dismantling of the decommissioned Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant near the Germany border, marking a major step in one of Europe’s most closely watched nuclear decommissioning projects.

A decree published in the official gazette authorizes state utility EDF to proceed with the dismantling process, which is expected to begin shortly and unfold in four phases.

The plant, located near Freiburg in southwestern Germany, was shut down in 2020 after 42 years of operation following sustained pressure from anti-nuclear activists on both sides of the border. All nuclear fuel was removed by September 2022.

EDF said the first phase of dismantling will include removing three steam generators from reactor unit one and dismantling storage racks used for spent fuel.

As part of the long-term redevelopment of the site, EDF plans to build a facility to melt low-level radioactive scrap starting in 2027. The so-called technical center is expected to process up to 500,000 tons of metal from across France, including reactor components, and could create around 200 jobs when it becomes operational in 2031. The project is estimated to require an investment of €450 million.

Despite the closure of Fessenheim, France continues to pursue an ambitious nuclear expansion strategy. Plans announced earlier this year include constructing six new reactors from 2038, with the option to add eight more, while extending the lifespan of its existing 57 reactors to between 50 and 60 years.