S'abonner

Challenges and Strategies for EDF’s New Nuclear Power Plant in 2035

EDF is aiming for 2035 for the first EPR2 reactor, despite the challenges of current nuclear production and the corrosion crisis.

Share:

EDF 2035: Enjeux Cruciaux

EDF CEO Luc Rémont recently discussed the challenges of commissioning the first reactor in the new nuclear fleet planned for 2035. Indeed, in a radio interview, he stressed the “very demanding” nature of this objective, linked to the necessary increase in output from the existing nuclear fleet. France, with a current nuclear fleet of 43GW out of a total capacity of 61.4GW, is preparing to face the winter with confidence, while remaining vigilant in its efforts to reduce energy consumption.

The Crucial Role of the Flamanville EPR in EDF’s Strategy

EDF’s ambitious program includes the construction of six new EPR2 reactors. In addition, the first Penly plant is scheduled for commissioning between 2035 and 2037. The project is aimed at boosting the country’s nuclear generation capacity, an increased necessity after nuclear production fell to a 30-year low in 2022, at just 279 terawatt-hours (TWh). This drop is mainly due to the corrosion crisis that affected the nuclear fleet.

EDF’s Financial Turnaround: Between Ambitions and Realities

At the same time, the Group plans to load fuel for the Flamanville EPR in the first quarter of 2024, with commissioning scheduled for mid-2024. The project encountered significant delays and budget overruns, with the final bill estimated at 13.2 billion euros, four times the initial budget of 3.3 billion. Despite these delays, the goal is to produce 400 TWh by 2030, in order to turn around the group’s financial situation, which is currently weakened by a debt of 65 billion euros.

New Framework for Electricity Price Regulation in France

Luc Rémont also discussed the new agreement with the French government on the framework for regulating electricity prices in France. Faced with concerns about potential new rate hikes, he assured us that this model would offer

“much stronger protection for all citizens”.

This statement is part of EDF’s wider efforts to stabilize and strengthen its role in the French energy sector.

EDF’s strategy for the new nuclear fleet, centered on the launch of the first EPR2 reactor by 2035, is ambitious but crucial for French energy production. Despite past challenges and delays, the Group remains confident in its ability to meet these challenges and deliver stable, sustainable energy for the future.

  • Populaires ​
Czech Republic hit by massive power outage disrupting the economy
Donald Trump significantly increases US tax credits for carbon capture
EDF postpones Calvados wind farm to 2027 due to faulty drilling tool
Gabon reactivates deep offshore blocks to stem oil decline
Egypt accelerates El-Dabaa national grid connection for 2026
EnergyX acquires 35,000 acres of US lithium from Pantera Lithium
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
Canada: CCSN approves the ARC-100 reactor design review
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
Lithuanian nuclear operator SE Ignalina signs agreement with Newcleo
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egypt: Supplementary agreements signed for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra obtains approval to extend Perry nuclear plant operations
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF injects €1.3 billion into Sizewell C, its second British EPR
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
France: Cigéo nuclear waste underground storage project makes significant progress
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF launches its nuclear Technocentre in Fessenheim, estimated investment of €450 million
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear signs strategic agreement with UrAmerica on Argentine uranium
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
SHINE and Standard Nuclear form strategic partnership on recycled fuel
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.
Floating nuclear power plants evaluated to supply Mediterranean regions
The American Bureau of Shipping and two nuclear sector companies are studying the potential deployment of floating nuclear power plants to meet the energy needs of island and coastal regions in the Mediterranean, notably via electricity and desalination.
Lithuania explores nuclear option with small modular reactors
Lithuania establishes a working group tasked with assessing the feasibility of modular nuclear reactors to meet electricity demand estimated at 74 TWh by 2050.
Framatome wins two major contracts to extend Belgian nuclear operations
Framatome has secured two significant contracts from Electrabel covering modernisation and technical support for the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear reactors, as part of their extension agreed upon between Engie and the Belgian government.
EDF postpones restart of Flamanville EPR to August 13
EDF extends Flamanville EPR's shutdown to August 13 to conduct technical checks on three valves of the reactor's primary circuit, initially scheduled to resume production this week.
United States selects Westinghouse and Radiant to test their nuclear microreactors
The US Department of Energy has selected Westinghouse and Radiant Nuclear to conduct the first nuclear microreactor tests at the DOME experimental centre located in Idaho, with operational start expected in spring 2026.
GE Vernova and Fortum launch major nuclear project in Scandinavia
GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Fortum announce partnership aimed at preparing for the potential deployment of small modular reactors in Finland and Sweden, with commissioning scheduled for the 2030s.
Energy Fuels extracts 638,700 pounds of uranium at Pinyon Plain mine
Energy Fuels Inc. announced record production of 638,700 pounds of uranium during the second quarter of 2025 at its Pinyon Plain mine in Arizona, significantly surpassing initial site performance forecasts.
Argentina and Peru strengthen cooperation in civil nuclear sector
Argentina and Peru have signed an agreement expanding their scientific and technological cooperation in the civil nuclear field, including joint research projects and specialised training programmes for future development.
World Bank resumes nuclear financing after decades of absence
After several decades without funding nuclear projects, the World Bank has formed a strategic partnership with the IAEA to provide technical and financial support to countries integrating nuclear energy into their energy strategies.
Seoul approves definitive decommissioning of South Korea’s first nuclear reactor
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING