Innovation origins : French government selects six start-ups for small projects with modular nuclear reactors
The French government has announced the selection of six start-ups to receive funding and support for the development of innovative small modular reactor (SMR) projects. This initiative is part of a broader €500 million program launched in March 2022 to foster advanced nuclear technologies and accelerate the country’s energy transition.
The six newly selected start-ups will share €77.2 million in public funding, along with €18.9 million in technical assistance from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). This support follows a previous round in which two companies, Naarea and Newcleo, were awarded grants.
The chosen projects reflect a range of nuclear technologies and applications:
- Jimmy Energy, a CEA spin-off, received €32 million to industrialize its thermal generator for low-carbon heat, with the first unit planned for deployment at a French industrial site in 2026.
- Blue Capsule, Otrera Nuclear Energy, and Hexana—also CEA-affiliated start-ups—are developing advanced sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor concepts.
- Calogena, a subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, is advancing a 30 MW low-pressure water nuclear boiler specifically designed for district heating, receiving €5.2 million in funding.
- Renaissance Fusion is working on a modular stellarator-type fusion reactor, still at an early stage.
These projects aim to demonstrate the versatility of SMRs, which are smaller and more modular than traditional reactors, allowing for factory assembly and easier deployment. The government’s strategy emphasizes innovation, safety, and the integration of young enterprises into the French and European nuclear ecosystem. The CEA will provide technical support to six of the eight SMR and advanced modular reactor projects funded under the France 2030 plan, helping to validate safety systems and accelerate development.
The selection underscores France’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in civil nuclear technology and supporting the emergence of new players and breakthrough innovations in the sector. Additional projects remain under review, with further announcements possible as the evaluation process continues.