SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

France: Livret A savings accounts to finance new nuclear reactors

The French have already deposited hundreds of billions of euros in their Livret A savings accounts. Now the government is considering an alternative use of these popular savings to finance the construction of new nuclear reactors and the transformation of the energy landscape.

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

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

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

According to Les Echos, the government could direct part of the hundreds of billions of euros of savings deposited by the French in their Livret A savings accounts towards the construction of new nuclear reactors. This would allow the deployment of very long-term financing, corresponding to the profile of nuclear power.

 

Financing options under study

The Ministry of Energy Transition states that “the options for financing the new nuclear power plant are being studied, without any direction being arbitrated at this stage.” The Ministry of the Economy also confirms that “several options are being studied”.

 

Colossal popular savings

55 million French people have a Livret A savings account, with total savings of more than 375 billion euros at the end of 2022. The roadmap unveiled by President Emmanuel Macron a year ago calls for the construction of six new-generation EPR2 reactors, with an option for eight more. The construction cost of these six reactors is estimated at 51.7 billion euros (excluding financing costs), plus 4.6 billion in case of implementation difficulties.

 

Livret A: a source of financing for social housing

Managed jointly by Caisse des Dépôts and the banking networks, the Livret A is mainly used to finance social housing. The head of the CDC, Eric Lombard, recently stated before Parliament that “popular savings, from the Livret A, the Livret de développement durable et solidaire, the Livret d’épargne populaire which, in total, reaches 500 billion euros today, can further finance the transformation of our energy production system.

Caisse des Dépôts has indicated that “the choices on the economic model and the carrying structure are planned for 2023 and in the hands of the public authorities”. The financing options for the new nuclear power plant are still being studied and the fate of popular savings is still being decided.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Pacific Green secures permit for 1GW battery park in Portland
COP30 locks in adaptation, avoids fossil phase-out and opens a climate regulatory front
Small EU states strengthen energy influence in Africa via Global Gateway
Japan approves partial restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant
Asian Development Bank commits $700mn to support Kyrgyz Republic’s energy strategy
KEPCO and ENEC strengthen alliance on nuclear and artificial intelligence
Korean group KEPCO and UAE-based ENEC have signed two memorandums of understanding to expand their cooperation in civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies targeting new international markets.
US Army selects nine bases for future deployment of nuclear microreactors
The Janus programme will deploy micro nuclear power plants across nine military bases to reinforce energy autonomy for critical U.S. Army installations.
Lightbridge launches irradiation testing of its fuel alloy in the United States
The Idaho National Laboratory has started irradiation testing on uranium-zirconium fuel samples from Lightbridge in its experimental reactor, marking a key step toward the industrial validation of advanced nuclear fuel.
NexGen begins final federal hearings for the Rook I nuclear project
NexGen Energy has opened Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the final approval of its Rook I uranium project, following more than six years of regulatory process.
Oklo signs contract with Siemens Energy for Aurora’s power conversion system
Oklo has signed a binding agreement with Siemens Energy to accelerate manufacturing of the energy conversion system for its first advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.
New setback for TEPCO at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 48h before crucial political green light
A security document handling incident at the nuclear power plant renews concerns about TEPCO as a key decision on restarting reactors 6 and 7 approaches in Niigata.
Washington seals civil nuclear deal with Riyadh amid political tensions
An initial civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia, prompting calls from the US Congress for strict safeguards to prevent a Middle East arms race.
CGN activates Zhaoyuan to bypass US restrictions and secure its Hualong One reactors
The launch of the Zhaoyuan nuclear project anchors the Hualong One model inland, illustrating Beijing’s strategy of regulatory normalisation in response to Western technological restrictions.
TRISO-X begins vertical construction on advanced nuclear fuel facility in Tennessee
TRISO-X has started above-ground works on the first U.S. facility dedicated to manufacturing fuel for small modular reactors, marking a key industrial milestone in the deployment of the Xe-100.
Russia delivers key test rig for ITER project progress
The first Russian test rig for the experimental ITER reactor has been delivered to the site in France, marking a major milestone in the international collaboration on nuclear fusion.
Allseas’ nuclear concept could inject EUR130bn into Dutch economy by 2050
A strategic report reveals the industrial and energy potential of Allseas’ offshore small modular reactor, which could create up to 40,000 jobs and reduce investment in the power grid.
Aecon partners with Norsk Kjernekraft to develop SMRs in Norway
Canadian firm Aecon and private developer Norsk Kjernekraft have signed a strategic agreement targeting the deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors across several potential locations in Norway.
South Africa restarts PBMR project with strategic transfer to Necsa
The South African government has officially lifted the PBMR reactor out of inactivity, launching a public investment programme and transferring the strategic nuclear asset from Eskom to Necsa.
France locks in €100bn nuclear programme under state control
The French Court of Auditors values EDF’s grand carénage at over €100bn, while EPR2 reactors already exceed €67–75bn. The State simultaneously directs regulation, financing, and industrial strategy, raising the risk of conflict of interest.
Belarus launches new public investment in a third nuclear reactor
Belarus commits major public investment to add a third reactor at the Ostrovets plant and initiates studies for a second nuclear site to support national energy demand.
Framatome completes second test cycle on next-generation nuclear fuel
Framatome’s accident-tolerant fuel prototype has completed a second 24-month cycle in a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States, paving the way for a third phase of industrial testing.
UK to install three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors at Wylfa nuclear site
The Wylfa site in Wales will host three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors from 2026, marking a strategic investment in the UK’s nuclear expansion.
Flamanville 3 reaches 80% power output ahead of extended 2026 shutdown
EDF confirmed that the Flamanville EPR has reached a major milestone, while planning a nearly year-long shutdown in 2026 for extensive regulatory inspections and key component replacement.
EDF expands access to nuclear contracts in response to regulatory changes
EDF is opening access to its long-term nuclear supply contracts to companies consuming more than 7 GWh per year, an adjustment driven by the gradual end of the Arenh mechanism.
South Korea extends operation of Kori 2 nuclear reactor until 2033
South Korean authorities have approved the continued operation of the Kori 2 reactor for an additional eight years, marking a key milestone in the national nuclear strategy.

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

START - 99$/year

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.