A new reactor in Cattenom? Luxembourg denies the rumours

Amid rumours of a possible expansion of France's Cattenom nuclear power plant, the Luxembourg government has issued an official response to a parliamentary enquiry by MP Sven Clement: no notification of the construction of a new reactor at the site has been received from France.

In a joint response from the ministers of Economy Lex Delles, Environment Serge Wilmes, Health Martine Deprez and Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel, it was stressed that the draft French energy programme for 2025-2035 does not include Cattenom among the sites for the construction of new EPR2 reactors. The French authorities officially name only three sites: Penly, Gravelines and Bugey.

Nevertheless, the government confirms that nuclear safety issues at the Katten nuclear power plant are discussed regularly within the framework of the Franco-Luxembourg joint commission on nuclear safety (Commission mixte franco-luxembourgeoise de sécurité nucléaire).

The response also emphasises that Luxembourg's energy security does not depend on the operation of Cattenom, as the country is part of a common energy zone with Germany, from where most of its electricity comes. This is also confirmed by a study by the German engineering bureau Consentec (2021), which states that the shutdown of Cattenoy will not significantly affect the region's energy supply.

Under the 2023-2028 coalition agreement, Luxembourg continues to implement the National Climate and Energy Plan (PNEC), with a focus on solar and wind energy development.