Paris is pushing ahead with plans for six new EPR2 reactors
France is planning a change of leadership at state-owned utility EDF, as the company prepares up to build six new nuclear reactors for the country.
Bernard Fontana, currently head of nuclear engineering group Framatome, majority owned by EDF, has been proposed as the new chief executive officer, taking over from Luc Remont who has held the role for two years, president Emmanuel Macron’s office said on 21 March.
The change still needs to be approved by parliament but is expected to take effect soon, officials said.
According to the UK-based daily Financial Times (subscription required) the move followed months of tensions over strategy and the risk of cost overruns in the construction of the six new reactors.
The announcement came days after France agreed to issue EDF with a subsidised loan covering at least half the construction costs of six new nuclear reactors, with a final investment decision expected in 2026.
Macron’s office said on 17 March that the framework agreement was based on a subsidised government loan covering at least half of the construction costs and a contract for difference (CfD) on nuclear production at a maximum price of €100/MWh in 2024.
Negotiations between EDF and the state over financing are expected to be finalised in the “coming weeks”, a statement said. Details of the agreement will then be sent to the European Commission for approval.
Following a nuclear policy meeting, Macron’s office also said the government had asked EDF to accelerate efforts to finalise its plans to build six new nuclear reactors, while delaying the target date for the start of the first unit by about three years to 2038.
In July 2023, EDF filed an application to build the first pair of next-generation EPR2 nuclear power plants at Penly, part of a 2022 programme by Macron for a “rebirth” of France’s nuclear industry with the possible construction of 14 EPR2 units and operating extensions for older nuclear plants from 40 years to 50 years or more.
EDF is initially planning to build three pairs of EPR2 plants with the first pair at Penly followed by a pair each at the Gravelines nuclear site, northeast of Penly near Calais, and either Bugey, to the east of Lyon, or Tricastin, south of Lyon near Avignon.
The plan to build at least six new reactors – alongside new renewable capacity – is part of France’s effort to ensure long-term energy security as its existing nuclear fleet ages. It’s also key to the nation’s ambition to be carbon neutral by the middle of the century.
