French nuclear power program: state-led development and private partnerships (1945–2005)

1. CEA created to lead atomic research

   Oct 18, 1945Labels: Commissariat l, France Ministry

   • CEA History
   • CEA Wiki

2. EDF established through electricity nationalization

   Apr 8, 1946Labels: lectricit de, Nationalization Law

   • L gifrance
   • EDF Wiki

3. Zoé reactor reaches first criticality

   Dec 15, 1948Labels: Zo reactor, Fort de

   • Zo Wiki
   • Civil Program

4. Construction begins at Chinon A1

   Feb 1, 1957Labels: Chinon A1, UNGG reactor

   • CVCE Chinon
   • Chinon Wiki

5. Framatome founded to license PWR technology

   Jan 1, 1958Labels: Framatome, Westinghouse license

   • Framatome Wiki
   • Framatome FR

6. Chinon A1 commissioned for electricity production

   Feb 1, 1964Labels: Chinon A1, EDF operator

   • Chinon Wiki
   • CVCE Chinon

7. La Hague UP2 reprocessing begins operations

   Jan 1, 1966Labels: La Hague, Reprocessing

   • INMM La Hague
   • Science gov

8. Eurodif enrichment project approved at Tricastin

   Nov 22, 1973Labels: Eurodif, Tricastin

   • Georges Besse
   • IAEA INIS

9. Messmer Plan accelerates nationwide reactor buildout

   Mar 6, 1974Labels: Messmer Plan, Pierre Messmer

   • IAEA INIS
   • France WNA

10. Cogema created to run major fuel-cycle activities

    Jan 1, 1976Labels: Cogema, CEA spin-off

    • Larousse
    • Cogema Wiki

11. Superphénix reaches criticality, entering breeder phase

    Sep 7, 1985Labels: Superph nix, Fast breeder

    • ScienceDirect
    • Superph nix Wiki

12. AREVA formed by combining major nuclear firms

    Sep 3, 2001Labels: AREVA, Cogema

    • Areva Doc
    • Areva Release

13. EDF becomes a limited company under new law

    Nov 19, 2004Labels: EDF, Soci t

    • EDF Legal
    • EDF URD

14. Nuclear electricity share peaks around 78%

    Jan 1, 2005Labels: French nuclear, Electricity share

    • IAEA PR
    • France WNA