At a press conference held on April 1, 2026, at the headquarters of the Normandy Region in Caen, OTRERA officially announced a major milestone in its development: the establishment of an industrial plant and technology hub in the Le Cotentin urban community, in the municipality of Les Pieux, in the presence of Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, Christèle Castelein, President of the Le Cotentin Urban Community, Jacques Leseigneur, Mayor of Les Pieux, and founders Frédéric Varaine and Jean-Éric Lucas.
An announcement that marks a turning point for OTRERA, for the French nuclear sector, and for the Normandy region.
A key milestone: from design to industrialization
Since its founding, OTRERA has been developing a fourth-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), the result of over fifty years of French research, particularly within the Astrid program. This announcement marks the transition to a new, decisive phase: industrialization. The establishment project includes the construction of a plant dedicated to the manufacturing and assembly of key reactor components (pumps, vessels, control rods, and heat exchangers) as well as the development of a dedicated technology hub. In terms of employment, the expected impact is significant and unfolds across several timeframes:
- 600 jobs mobilized during the construction phase,
- 350 to 450 direct and indirect jobs during the operational phase,
- 400 to 600 additional jobs generated in the region over the medium term.
Beyond the numbers, this represents a concrete dynamic: strengthening OTRERA’s industrial presence, contributing to the emergence of a more integrated local nuclear sector, and building a supply chain in direct connection with regional stakeholders.
Why Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
The choice of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is not coincidental. Normandy is a region historically committed to the French nuclear sector, with an excellent industrial and maritime fabric, a recognized research and training ecosystem, and industrial expertise that is a European benchmark. The Normandy Region has supported this project from its earliest phases: identification of the industrial site, strategic support through its economic development agency, financial backing, and equity participation through Normandie Participations. A strong commitment that reflects a shared ambition: to make Normandy one of Europe’s leading regions for low-carbon energy and nuclear innovation.
“OTRERA’s decision to establish itself in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is excellent news for Normandy. This project demonstrates our region’s ability to attract innovative companies in strategic sectors. By supporting this establishment and participating in the company’s capital through Normandie Participations, the Region confirms its commitment to a decarbonized, competitive, and job-creating energy industry.” — Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region
An industrial vision for next-generation nuclear power
Founded by Frédéric Varaine, former head of the Astrid program at CEA, and Jean-Éric Lucas, OTRERA brings together an experienced team from the Astrid, Phénix, and Superphénix programs. The company is developing sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFR), a fourth-generation technology designed to produce stable, decarbonized, and competitive electricity while promoting fuel cycle closure. OTRERA’s ambition is to offer a different approach to nuclear power—conceived from the outset as a coherent system integrating the reactor, fuel, and cycle. A vision that optimizes overall performance while facilitating industrialization and large-scale deployment. This approach directly addresses three major challenges: the decarbonization of energy and industrial uses, French and European energy sovereignty, and the reindustrialization of regions. This project builds on OTRERA’s ongoing development, already supported by an ecosystem of committed industrial partners and investors that prefigures a future integrated supply chain around the reactor.
“Choosing Cherbourg-en-Cotentin means choosing a region that embodies nuclear excellence in its DNA. Normandy is not simply a host region for OTRERA: it becomes a full partner. The Region’s support and Normandie Participations’ commitment alongside us reflect a shared vision—that of decarbonized, sovereign, and competitive energy. We are proud to contribute to writing the next chapter of French nuclear power from this region.” — Frédéric Varaine & Jean-Éric Lucas, founders of OTRERA
The press conference of April 1, 2026
The press conference, held at the Normandy Regional Council in Caen, brought together the project’s key stakeholders, marking significant progress in the regional strategy for low-carbon energy and nuclear innovation.
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- Exchanges between participants at the press conference on April 1, 2026, at the headquarters of the Normandy Region in Caen, during the announcement of OTRERA’s establishment in the municipality of Cherbourg.
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- Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, and the founders of OTRERA at the press conference.
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- Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region, and the founders of OTRERA during the press conference.
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- Frédéric Varaine, President and founder of OTRERA, addresses the audience.
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- Jean-Éric Lucas, co-founder of OTRERA, addresses the press.
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- Remarks by Christèle Castelein, President of the Le Cotentin Urban Community, during the conference.
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- Frédéric Varaine and Jean-Éric Lucas, founders of OTRERA, facing the press.
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- Frédéric Varaine and Jean-Éric Lucas, founders of OTRERA, facing the press.
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- View of the room during the press conference on April 1, 2026.
