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EDF · EU Regulation · Nuclear Energy · State Aid
The European Commission launched an in-depth investigation into France's plan to provide €73 billion in public support for EDF's construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors, totaling 9,990 Megawatts, to assess compliance with EU state aid and competition rules.
France plans to build these reactors in pairs at three existing plants, with commissioning scheduled between 2038 and 2044. Paris will cover approximately 60% of the project costs through a subsidized loan at a preferential rate and guarantee EDF stable revenue via a 40-year contract, according to the Commission.
The scheme also includes a risk-sharing mechanism to protect EDF from unforeseen events. The probe will determine if the aid is "necessary and proportionate," as stated by the Commission, which is the EU's antitrust regulator.
France expressed confidence that the review is "standard" and will proceed "swiftly," asserting its new nuclear sector will significantly contribute to EU electricity. Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen recently described Europe's past move away from atomic energy as a "strategic mistake," underscoring renewed focus on nuclear power amid energy vulnerability concerns.
