France: energy suppliers’ demand for Arenh nuclear electricity in 2025 exceeds the quota again

In France, alternative energy suppliers requested over 134 TWh of low-cost nuclear electricity for 2025 through the Arenh mechanism, exceeding the 100 TWh cap set by EDF, according to the Commission de régulation de l'énergie (CRE).

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

France: the demand for low-cost nuclear electricity offered by EDF through the Arenh mechanism (Regulated Access to Historic Nuclear Electricity) continues to exceed the regulatory caps. The Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE) revealed that alternative suppliers requested a total of 134.93 terawatt-hours (TWh) for 2025. This figure represents an allocation rate of 74.12%, meaning that not all requests will be met.

An attractive price for alternative suppliers

In France, Arenh obliges EDF to sell part of its nuclear production at a regulated price of €42 per megawatt-hour (MWh), a particularly competitive rate compared to current market prices. This mechanism benefits alternative energy suppliers by offering them a less costly source of supply, contributing to their competitiveness in the national market. However, the electricity available through this mechanism is strictly capped at 100 TWh per year, which accounts for less than one-third of EDF’s total nuclear production.

Increase in demand for 2025

The demand for 2025 is up by 3.5% compared to the previous year. This increase is described as “consistent with the growth in the market share of alternative suppliers” by the CRE. These suppliers are seeing their customer base grow, pushing them to request more low-cost electricity to meet the rising needs of their consumers.

Towards the end of the Arenh mechanism

The Arenh mechanism, in place since 2011, is scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. From 2026 onward, EDF will be required to sell its entire electricity production on the markets. This transition presents strategic challenges for the French government and energy sector stakeholders, who are working to establish a suitable replacement mechanism. The goal is to maintain a balance between competitive demands and energy price stability.

Implications for EDF and the energy sector

This situation highlights the challenges EDF faces. The company must balance its regulatory obligations while continuing to invest in maintaining and developing its nuclear fleet. Meanwhile, alternative suppliers rely on Arenh to remain competitive amid volatile energy markets.

The future of the regulatory framework for nuclear electricity in France remains a subject of debate, both for its impact on competition and its role in the national energy transition.

The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMRâ„¢ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
US-based Natura Resources has secured strategic funding and key permits for its MSR-1 nuclear reactor, backed by public funds and enriched fuel allocation from the Department of Energy.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
A Guidehouse Research report anticipates strong growth in the global nuclear modular reactor market, with revenues rising from $375.8 million in 2025 to $8.1 billion in 2034.
KHNP, Doosan, POSCO and Samsung C&T join US partners to develop 5 GW of modular reactors, expand uranium enrichment and build an 11 GW energy complex in Texas.
The US Department of Energy is creating an industrial consortium to accelerate domestic enriched uranium production and reduce reliance on foreign imports ahead of the Russian supply ban in 2027.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.