CGM Nuclear Webinar Series: Episode 4 - How Did France Reach 70% Nuclear Energy?

By Laurent Fabre, Head of Business Development for Asia, International New Nuclear Development, Électricité de France

Moderated by, Datuk NK Tong, Group Managing Director, Bukit Kiara Capital

Opening Remarks by, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Johan Mohammad Raslan, Council Member, Climate Governance Malaysia

Remarks by, Mrs. Beatrice de Piazza : Deputy Economic Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of France

Episode 4 of the Climate Governance Malaysia (CGM) Nuclear Webinar Series was held on 20 August 2025 in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Malaysia, titled “How Did France Reach 70% Nuclear Energy?” This session followed on from Episode 3, which took place on 6 August 2025. In Part 2 of this series, Mr. Laurent Fabre of Électricité de France (EDF), shared valuable insights into how France successfully scaled its nuclear energy programme to supply 70% of its electricity, making it one of the cleanest grids in the world. The discussion explored lessons on how Malaysia can draw from France’s transition, particularly in areas of governance, public trust, and policy alignment. The session featured a 30–40 minute presentation, followed by a Q&A segment.

In his opening remarks, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Johan Mohammad Raslan stressed that nuclear energy remains a field where public understanding and accessible information are still limited. It is therefore crucial for Malaysia to draw lessons from France—particularly from Episode 3 of the Nuclear Webinar Series, which highlighted the key benefits, unique features, and challenges of nuclear energy. France, widely recognized as a global leader in civilian nuclear technology with EDF at its core, offers valuable insights that Malaysia can learn from in exploring this energy source. He noted that Malaysia must carefully consider how nuclear energy could support its transition away from heavy reliance on fossil fuels, which continue to drive air pollution and environmental harm. With national energy demand projected to rise sharply—especially with the growth of data centers—Malaysia must begin rethinking its energy strategy. While nuclear power alone cannot meet the full 2035 demand, taking proactive steps today will reduce dependence on coal, which still supplies more than half of our electricity, and help build a cleaner, safer, and more resilient energy future.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Beatrice de Piazza highlighted France’s 50 years of nuclear expertise, which has produced one of the world’s most decarbonised electricity mixes. Currently, 95% of France’s electricity is generated from low-carbon sources, with nuclear power accounting for more than 60% of the total supply. This experience has built a strong regulatory framework, skilled workforce, and independent industrial supply chain. EDF operates one of the largest global nuclear fleets, leads in safety, innovation, and small modular reactors (SMRs), which could be highly relevant for Malaysia. France and EDF stand ready to support Malaysia by sharing best practices and co-developing solutions to advance its long-term energy strategy in developing its nuclear power programme.

Mr. Laurent explained that EDF has built one of the world’s largest nuclear programs, making 93% of its 2023 electricity generation carbon-free while remaining a key pillar of France’s economy. He further explained France’s nuclear drive began with the Messmer Plan in 1973, launched after the oil crisis to cut reliance on fossil fuel imports. The Messmer Plan was implemented in three phases: Phase 1 (Initial Development and Design), which began in 1973 and focused on developing reactor designs based on proven pressurised water reactor (PWR) technology for reliability and safety; Phase 2 (Construction), which marked the actual building of the reactors; and Phase 3 (Completion), which finalised and expanded the reactor network. There were ambitious targets that were set out and successfully achieved during the different phases of these plans. These were the development of 13 reactors by 1980 and 58 by 2000.

The webinar also explored factors that Malaysia could learn from France’s nuclear programme.

1. Standardisation: France adopted a fleet approach by building identical reactor designs across multiple sites, which reduced costs, improved safety, and simplified operations. Instead of pursuing fragmented projects, France made incremental improvements within the same PWR technology framework, moving from initial Westinghouse licenses to full technological independence.
   

2. Clear organisational structure together with state support : the French state provided strategic direction, stable funding, and regulation; EDF managed construction and operations; the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) advanced R&D and waste solutions; and Framatome manufactured critical components. This coordination mobilised tens of thousands of engineers under a unified national programme.
   

3. International cooperation: France partnered with Germany, Belgium, and Italy on enrichment and reprocessing, exported reactors to countries such as South Africa, Korea, and China, and invested heavily in academic training to sustain a skilled workforce.

Hence, by the late 1980s, nuclear supplied around 70% of the country’s electricity, creating one of the world’s cleanest grids with average emissions of just 30–40 grams of CO₂ per kWh, compared to 500 g/kWh in the 1970s. This shift also provided France with the lowest electricity prices in the EU, protecting households and industries from fossil fuel price volatility and giving its economy a competitive edge. Nuclear power further positioned France as a net exporter of electricity, turning it into a key hub within Europe’s integrated grid. Beyond energy, the programme stimulated significant economic growth, creating more than 220,000 jobs in engineering, construction, and operations, supported by a robust domestic supply chain.

Mr Laurent explained that France’s future nuclear strategy is shaped by the RTE 2021 Study and the New Build Program, which drew on a two-year analysis by 200 experts comparing six decarbonisation pathways to 2050. While every pathway requires massive renewable expansion, the study found that scenarios including nuclear deliver greater resilience, lower overall costs, and reduced grid investment compared to renewable-only options. The most cost-efficient scenario (N03) maximises nuclear while still integrating substantial renewable capacity, with nuclear’s load-following ability easing intermittency challenges. On this basis, France has launched a Phase 3 “Nuclear Renaissance,” committing to 14 new EPR reactors by 2045 (6 confirmed and 8 in development), alongside extending the operating life of the existing fleet to 60–70 years. The goal is to maintain a 50% nuclear share by 2050 (down from today’s 70%) while safeguarding reliable baseload supply.

To achieve this, France is rebuilding industrial capabilities, restoring centralised planning, and applying lessons from past projects such as Flamanville 3. A fleet model of standardised designs, supported by incremental technological improvements, is being prioritised over fragmented, one-off projects, ensuring efficiency, cost control, and scale. At the same time, efforts are underway to strengthen supply chains, expand academic and workforce training, and rebuild long-term political consensus. Together, these measures position nuclear power as a cornerstone of France’s decarbonisation, energy security, and industrial competitiveness strategy.

In terms of nuclear waste management, France manages this through a comprehensive, multi-tiered system that classifies materials by volume and radioactivity, ensuring both safety and environmental responsibility. Thanks to reprocessing, annual high-level waste is reduced fivefold—from 1,600 cubic meters without recycling to just 300 cubic meters—compared to the country’s 300 million cubic meters of hazardous waste overall. High-level waste is destined for deep geological disposal 500 meters underground, while intermediate-level waste is stored in engineered concrete bunkers, and low-level waste is managed in monitored surface facilities using barriers and geotextiles with 30–40 years of oversight.

The majority of nuclear waste falls into low-activity categories, with some even less radioactive than coal ash, though subject to far stricter regulatory standards. Established disposal facilities already handle lower-level waste, with a deep repository planned for the most hazardous materials. This integrated approach not only minimises environmental impact but also reduces uranium import needs, as reprocessing recycles valuable fuel and lowers long-term storage requirements.

Towards the end of the session, an interactive Q & A session was held and moderated by Dato’ Seri Ahmad Johan Raslan.

Click here for the full session recording.