France's Calogena wins EU funding for first commercial SMR

· Climate · France

French small modular reactor developer Calogena has been awarded EUR40 million (USD44.6 million) through the European Commission's Innovation Fund to support the potential construction of its first commercial nuclear reactor in Pierrelatte, in southern France. The award gives the developer a significant financial boost as it moves toward building the reactor, part of a wider wave of SMR projects in Europe seeking to provide lower-carbon firm power. SMRs are smaller, factory-built reactors meant to cut construction costs and timelines compared with large plants. The funding still supports a potential project rather than a confirmed final investment decision.

Why it matters：EU Innovation Fund money for a first commercial SMR signals policy backing for a technology that could reshape how utilities add firm, low-carbon capacity.

Key points

  • Calogena received EUR40 million (USD44.6 million) from the EU Innovation Fund.
  • The reactor would be built in Pierrelatte, southern France.
  • Funding supports a potential first commercial unit.

Sources (original reporting)

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