Overview
- The European Commission, which opened the inquiry Tuesday, will check whether France’s support for EDF follows EU competition rules.
- The package, modeled on the Czech Dukovany deal cleared by Brussels, features a low-cost state loan for up to 60% of the €72.8 billion cost and a 40-year contract for difference that tops up EDF revenues when market power prices fall.
- The Commission said the project looks necessary for energy security and cutting emissions, but it warned the aid could entrench EDF’s dominance and distort competition.
- France called the step routine and said it wants a quick decision to keep a final investment call by the end of 2026 on track.
- EDF plans six EPR2 units at Penly, Gravelines, and Bugey, with the first concrete at Penly expected by late 2028.