The Elysée evokes “a first commissioning” of EPR2 reactors by 2038, as a substitute of 2035 | EUROtoday

The Elysée spoke, Monday, March 17, a “First commission” at the least one of many six future EPR2 nuclear reactors “From here to 2038”whereas the horizon displayed to date was 2035, after a nuclear coverage council across the president, Emmanuel Macron.

EPR2 is a model mission “Optimized” of the EPR nuclear reactor – or European pressurized reactor (European Pressurized Reactorsince famend Evolutionary Power Reactor) -, needed to be easier and cheaper to construct than the latter. The govt needs to construct six of those new reactors on current websites, in pairs: first in Penly (Seine-Maritime), close to Dieppe, then in Gravelines (North) and, lastly, in Bugey (Ain).

This nuclear coverage council has held its fourth assembly because the Head of State’s speech in Belfort in February 2022, which had made the revival of a nuclear program. The president then introduced a building program of six new nuclear reactors and an choice for eight others, with a commissioning round 2035 for the primary of them. But a authorities audit of February 2022 already spoke of the 2037 horizon for the primary commissioning.

During this assembly, the individuals have “Examined the main principles of the financing scheme” of this EPR2 program, including that it could be On a bonus state mortgage overlaying at the least half of the development prices »based on a press launch from the presidency. Friday, the Elysée had famous that the European Union had validated the financing of the Czech energy station of Dukany basically by a mortgage of the zero charge, seeming to see a supply of inspiration.

This financing mannequin could be accompanied by a contract on nuclear manufacturing at a worth assured by the State of 100 euros most of the megawatt hour (MWH) in euros of 2024, stated the press launch.

Cost management and calendar

The Elysée now hopes “Finalize discussions between the State and EDF” within the coming weeks “ And “Quickly provoke exchanges with the European Commission, with a view to an EDF remaining funding choice in 2026”last crucial step before the launch of the construction site.

According to the press release, the CPN asked in this context to EDF to“Amplify the actions to manage prices and the calendar and to current by the top of the 12 months a participating encryption, in prices and deadlines”, recalling the need for the company to consolidate the “Industrial management” of the program.

The Nuclear Policy Council (CPN), which was to analyze the “Important tensions” At the request of uranium, fuel of nuclear reactors, said he “” Launched the preparatory work necessary to relaunch the search on the closure of the cycle, which will eventually allow to do without natural uranium ”. He also has “Confirmed this system permitting the renewal of installations on the approval of the nuclear gas cycle on the Hague”necessary for storage and recycling of worn fuel.