Overview
- The €72.8 billion provisional estimate, stated in 2020 euros and excluding financing costs, includes explicit risk provisions and is treated by EDF and the State as a ceiling.
- The DINN will audit the figure in the first quarter of 2026 starting on January 12, with the Economy Ministry aiming for a shared estimate by the end of March, and EDF’s board approved a €2.7 billion 2026 allocation for the program.
- The financing framework sent to the European Commission includes a concessional state loan for at least half of construction costs, a 40‑year contract‑for‑difference, and risk‑sharing between the State and EDF.
- EDF targets first commissioning at Penly in 2038, with subsequent units at Gravelines and Bugey entering service at 12–18 month intervals.
- The new tally is about 40% higher than the initial 2022 estimate and roughly 8% above the late‑2023 figure due to increased risk provisioning.