Electricité de France (EDF) has signed a long-term nuclear electricity supply contract with French battery manufacturer Verkor, spanning a twelve-year period. The agreement allocates 33 megawatts of electrical capacity to Verkor from EDF’s currently operating nuclear fleet.
Structured under the “Contrat d’Accès à la Production Nucléaire” (CAPN) model, the contract will come into effect in 2028 and end in 2039. It includes a cost and risk-sharing mechanism based on the actual volumes produced. This framework allows for long-term fixed pricing, decoupled from wholesale market fluctuations, while requiring industrial clients to bear part of the operational risks associated with reactor output.
Cost stability for Verkor
Verkor, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Grenoble, views this agreement as a strategic step to secure a substantial portion of its electricity needs. The company stated that the price visibility offered by this contract is a key factor in its future investments. The deal comes at a pivotal moment as Verkor’s first Gigafactory, located in Bourbourg near Dunkirk, is set to be inaugurated on December 11.
The facility has an annual production capacity of 16 gigawatt-hours. The first battery cells are scheduled for commercial release in early 2026. This long-term energy agreement is intended to support the company’s industrial ramp-up by ensuring a stable electricity supply.
Broader CAPN deployment by EDF
Originally limited to major electro-intensive consumers, CAPN contracts are now available to a wider range of industrial companies. EDF reported in November that it had signed 11 long-term agreements, including 7 under the CAPN model, and noted that numerous other negotiations were ongoing, including discussions with companies such as ArcelorMittal.
This approach reflects a broader effort to enhance the long-term energy competitiveness of French industry while optimising the use of existing nuclear generation assets. While each contract’s terms vary, all are based on a principle of mutual commitment between EDF and its industrial clients.
