Wedoany.com Report-Dec.19, France's state-owned utility EDF has announced that it will limit the construction costs for six new nuclear reactors to 72.8 billion euros ($85.29 billion). The company emphasized its commitment to enhancing cost efficiency and accelerating the building process.
This updated figure, calculated at 2020 values, exceeds the initial projection of 51.7 billion euros made in 2022 when the project was first outlined. The six reactors will provide a combined capacity of approximately 10 gigawatts, helping to replace aging facilities and ensure long-term energy security. Nuclear power currently accounts for about 70% of France's electricity generation.
The revised per-reactor cost remains substantially below that of the recently completed Flamanville project, which totaled 23.7 billion euros despite significant delays. EDF plans to achieve savings through serial construction, targeting a roughly 30% reduction in expenses for the final unit compared to the first.
Xavier Gruz, executive director responsible for new nuclear plant project management, informed journalists that serial production will drive these improvements. Construction timelines are also expected to shorten progressively, with EDF drawing on successful experiences in China, a leading example in nuclear reactor development, to aim for a 70-month build duration.
"The gains we will have thanks to replication are significant," said Gruz, pointing to a targeted reduction of almost three years in construction time between the first in the series at Penly and the sixth at Bugey.
Gruz added that electricity demand is projected to rise substantially by the time the reactors become operational, driven notably by growing needs from data centers.
To support the initiative, EDF will benefit from a subsidized loan covering around 60% of the costs, repaid through contracts for difference based on the electricity produced. A final investment decision is scheduled for the end of 2026, with the initial reactor set to enter service in 2038.
