France and Sweden sign nuclear energy pact

Tuesday 03 February 2026 - 16:50

By: Dakir Madiha

France and Sweden sign nuclear energy pact

France and Sweden have signed a letter of intent to advance nuclear power projects across the Scandinavian country. The agreement, finalized on the sidelines of the European Union's Energy Council meeting in Brussels on December 19, underscores French industry's keen interest in deploying its reactor technologies in Sweden. Signed by Sweden's Energy Minister Ebba Busch and France's Energy Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the pact signals a strategic push toward low-carbon energy collaboration.

State-owned EDF, France's nuclear power specialist, has held in-depth talks with Swedish utility Vattenfall to explore reactor installations. The letter highlights EDF's robust portfolio, including high-capacity EPR and EPR1200 reactors alongside the compact NUWARD small modular reactor. Both nations commit to fostering technical exchanges on reactor maintenance, lifespan extensions, and power upgrades, paving the way for efficient new builds.

France's Energy Minister declared that nuclear power is making a strong return in Europe. This aligns with France's assertive role in EU energy talks, where it spearheaded a COP28 pledge among 20 countries to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 from 2020 levels. Though non-binding, the commitment emphasizes nuclear energy's role in reaching net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality.

France relies heavily on its aging fleet of EDF-operated reactors for most of its electricity, following a full state takeover in 2023 amid operational challenges. Sweden, meanwhile, has shifted its energy policy this year: its coalition government replaced a 100% renewable target by 2045 with a 100% fossil-free goal, opening doors to nuclear expansion. In November, it unveiled a roadmap to dramatically scale up new nuclear capacity by 2045.