EDF nuclear costs kept under control until 2028 according to CRE

The French Energy Regulatory Commission set the full nuclear cost at €60.3/MWh by 2026, outlining the taxation thresholds applicable under the market reform scheduled for 2026.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The production costs of Électricité de France’s (EDF) nuclear fleet will remain contained over the coming years, according to data published by the French Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission de régulation de l’énergie, CRE). The updated assessment serves as a reference for the implementation of the new regulatory framework after the Arenh system, which will take effect from 1 January 2026.

A strategic reference cost for the State

CRE estimated the full cost of nuclear electricity at €60.3/MWh under 2026 economic conditions for the 2026-2028 period. This figure rises to €61.5/MWh in current terms. For the following period, between 2029 and 2031, the cost is projected at €63.4/MWh under 2026 conditions, equivalent to €68.4/MWh in current 2025 terms.

These figures form the basis of the Universal Nuclear Contribution (Versement nucléaire universel, VNU), which will allow the State to collect part of EDF’s revenues when they exceed set thresholds. The proceeds will then be redistributed to all consumers, both households and industrial users, in order to ensure price stability.

Persistent gaps with EDF’s estimates

The amounts advanced by the regulator remain well below those announced by the state-owned utility. EDF had assessed its production costs at €79.6/MWh for 2026-2028, and €81.5/MWh for 2029-2031. CRE specified that the gap partly results from a methodological adjustment, combined with corrective factors that mitigated the impact of inflation.

According to the president of CRE, the new figures remain “very close” to the evaluations published in 2023, showing relative stability in projections. This consistency facilitates the setting of thresholds beyond which EDF will be subject to progressive taxation of its nuclear revenues, with two levels: 50% in a first bracket, then 90% beyond a second threshold.

Towards a post-Arenh framework

The Arenh mechanism (Regulated Access to Historic Nuclear Electricity), in place until 31 December 2025, obliges EDF to sell part of its electricity at low prices to competitors. From 2026 onwards, the company will be able to market all of its production on wholesale markets. However, the future framework provides redistribution mechanisms to avoid sudden price increases for end users.

EDF’s fleet currently includes 57 reactors, among them the Flamanville EPR, commissioned in 2024. These facilities remain the backbone of the country’s electricity production, making transparency on their operating costs critical.

Amazon unveils new visuals of its upcoming nuclear site, marking a key step in its partnership with X-energy to deploy up to 960 MW of modular nuclear capacity in Washington state.
Canadian uranium producer NexGen Energy has completed a A$1bn ($639mn) equity raise split between North American and Australian markets to support the development of its Rook I project.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.
The formal expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran comes as international sanctions have already been reinstated and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Oklo, newcleo and Blykalla partner to develop advanced nuclear fuel infrastructure in the United States, backed by a planned $2bn investment.
enCore Energy has identified three new uranium roll fronts at its Alta Mesa project, with ongoing drilling aimed at defining their extent and accelerating development work.
California-based Radiant will build its first microreactor production facility in Oak Ridge, on a former Manhattan Project site, with production targeted at 50 units per year by 2028.
EDF restarted the Flamanville EPR reactor after repairing non-compliant valves, delaying the target of reaching full power output of 1,620 MW until the end of autumn.
Nano Nuclear and the University of Illinois will begin drilling operations for the KRONOS MMR™ reactor on October 24, marking a key step toward commercialisation of the nuclear project on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
Natura Resources is finalising construction of the MSR-1, an advanced liquid-fuel nuclear reactor, with a planned launch in 2026 on the Abilene Christian University campus.
JPMorganChase commits $10bn in direct investments as part of a $1.5tn plan to boost energy independence and strategic technologies, including next-generation nuclear power.
A roadmap under development aims to establish regulatory and technical foundations for the deployment of small modular reactors, with the goal of strengthening national energy security and attracting private capital.
EDF adjusts its 2025 nuclear production forecast to between 365 and 375 TWh, supported by the performance of its industrial programme START 2025 focused on maintenance efficiency.
The United Nations nuclear agency is urging Ukraine and Russia to establish a local ceasefire to repair damaged power lines at the Zaporizhzhia plant, which remains on alert after losing all external power supply.
Deep Isolation is calling on First Mover States to incorporate radioactive waste management into their joint strategy to ensure the industrial viability of new nuclear reactors.
Canada’s nuclear regulator has approved the launch of a new building that will store used steam generators from Bruce Power's refurbishment programme.
Costain has been selected to upgrade essential utilities at the Sellafield nuclear site under a contract worth up to £1bn over fifteen years.
A 5,000-megawatt nuclear programme will be launched by the South African government with NECSA to support national electricity supply and reduce power cuts.
Canada’s IsoEnergy will acquire Australia’s Toro Energy for AUD75mn ($49mn), creating a diversified uranium production platform with assets across Australia, Canada and the United States.
The upcoming Sizewell C nuclear power plant secures its fuel supply through agreements signed with Urenco and Framatome, marking a key step in strengthening the United Kingdom’s long-term energy stability.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.