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EDF Names New CEO as French Nuclear Expansion Faces Mounting Challenges

Bernard Fontana replaces Luc Rémont after disagreements with the government on strategy, as EDF advances its EPR 2 reactor project under tight deadlines and financial scrutiny.

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Luc Rémont répond aux questions du Figaro, dimanche, à Paris, deux jours après avoir été remercié par l’État.
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Overview

  • Luc Rémont was dismissed as CEO of EDF by the French government over strategic disagreements, with Bernard Fontana, head of EDF subsidiary Framatome, appointed as his successor.
  • The EPR 2 reactor program, central to France's nuclear revival, faces cost estimates of up to €100 billion, far exceeding initial projections of €67.4 billion.
  • The French government is pressuring EDF to finalize investment decisions for the six EPR 2 reactors by late 2026, ahead of the 2027 presidential election, to ensure political and industrial stability.
  • EDF is focusing on detailed design work for the reactors to avoid repeating delays and cost overruns seen in the Flamanville project, which suffered a 12-year delay and significant budget increases.
  • A state-backed loan, modeled on financing for the Czech Dukovany nuclear project, is planned to cover at least half of the EPR 2 costs, with further negotiations underway.