French Nuclear Program Faces Mounting Financial and Operational Challenges

The Cour des Comptes warns of risks to the EPR2 reactor initiative, citing soaring costs, delays, and unresolved financing issues.

The EPR reactor at Flamanville, originally budgeted at €3.3 billion in 2007, has now reached a total cost of €23.7 billion, according to the Cour des Comptes.
The construction of six new EPR2 reactors, announced by President Macron in 2022, has seen projected costs rise from €51.7 billion to €67.4 billion, with potential to exceed €100 billion.
The Cour des Comptes highlights persistent issues, including unclear financing, unresolved design details, and doubts about the program's overall profitability.
EDF has been urged to delay final investment decisions on the EPR2 project until financing and detailed design studies are secured, currently targeted for 2026.
Concerns over recruitment, industrial readiness, and international project risks further complicate the feasibility of the nuclear program's ambitious timeline.