EPR2 Programme by EDF: status and timeline

EPR2 Programme

Replace aging French reactors and meet EU decarbonization targets while establishing domestic nuclear reactor manufacturing and supply chains.

ProtoStage 2 of 5

FID targeted end-2026, construction begins 2027, first unit Penly commissioned 2038.

Updated Aug 2026Checked 11 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Final investment decision

Preparatory works at Penly begin2024Complete.
Government authorization for Gravelines site preparationsAug 2026Complete.
Final investment decisionTarget Dec 2026Not yet reached.
Construction beginsTarget 2027Not yet reached.
First EPR2 at Penly commissionedTarget 2038+36 mo~~originally 2035~~Not yet reached.
Subsequent units commissioned (Penly, Gravelines, Bugey)Target 2039Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

Dec 2026Final investment decisionin about 7 weeks (next)
2027Construction begins
2027First concrete pour at Penly
2038First EPR2 at Penly commissioned+36 mo~~originally 2035~~
2039Subsequent units commissioned (Penly, Gravelines, Bugey)

Current obstacles

Cost escalation and schedule delaysEstimates rose from EUR 51.7B to EUR 72.8B in three years. Delays in other French nuclear projects increase financial and schedule risk.
Supply chain for large reactor componentsProducing six reactor vessels and systems requires coordinated international supply chains and industrial capacity expansion.
Workforce and skilled laborNuclear industry faces worker shortages. Training and recruitment across six build sites is a logistical challenge.

Physics limits

Reactor size and thermal efficiencyPressurized water reactors max out at 33% thermal efficiency. Larger reactors increase capital cost and construction complexity, not efficiency.
Public acceptance and permittingNew nuclear projects face prolonged permitting and local opposition. Public consultation can delay timelines by years.

How it works

3 parts

Reactor Design

EPR2: evolved pressurized reactor

Evolution of existing EPR design with manufacturing and cost improvements. Each unit: 1,670 MWe electrical power output.

Fleet Strategy

Distributed new-build across three sites

Two identical units at Penly, Gravelines, Bugey share infrastructure and operational experience while managing deployment risk.

Financing

Public support and risk-sharing

France provides subsidized loans (≥50% of costs), 40-year electricity price guarantee (Contract for Difference), risk-sharing.

Spec sheet

Spec	EPR2 Programme
Per-unit capacity	1,670 MWe^R (reported)
Total programme capacity (6 units)	10,020 MWe^R (reported)
Total programme cost estimate	EUR 72.8 billion^R (reported)
Cost per MW (estimated)	7.58 million EUR/MW^E (estimated)
Unit count (Penly/Gravelines/Bugey)	2 / 2 / 2^R (reported)

^R reported by the company · ^E our estimate

Update log

2 updates

Aug 2026

Major: French government authorizes EDF to begin site preparation for two EPR2 reactors at GravelinesPressRegulatory

Dec 2025

Major: EDF estimates EPR2 programme cost at EUR 72.8 billion, up from EUR 67.4 billion estimateFilingOther

About EDF

The team behind EPR2 Programme

EDF

Nuclear power, French utility, Hinkley Point C, EPR

Multinational electric utility and the world's largest nuclear power generator. State-owned, headquartered in Paris. Nuclear reactors represent 58% of 117 GW installed capacity.

Majority partner in Hinkley Point C, a £23-46 billion twin EPR project in Somerset, UK.
Minority shareholder in Sizewell C (12.5%) alongside UK government, La Caisse, Centrica.
Experienced large nuclear project operator; Hinkley Point C now targeting 2031 commissioning.

edf.fr (opens edf.fr)Company profile →

Founded: 194680 yrs
Headquarters: France
Status: Public
Valuation: $59Bmarket capAug 2026
Staff: ~191,000
Works in: EnergyFission
Coverage: 2 programs · 6 updateslatest 1 Aug 2026checked 11 Oct
Partners: UK GovernmentChina General Nuclear
Investors: La Caisse de dépôt et placement du QuébecCentrica
People: Bernard Fontana (opens edf.fr)Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Spec

EPR2 Programme

Per-unit capacity

1,670 MWe^R (reported)

Total programme capacity (6 units)

10,020 MWe^R (reported)

Total programme cost estimate

EUR 72.8 billion^R (reported)

Cost per MW (estimated)

7.58 million EUR/MW^E (estimated)

Unit count (Penly/Gravelines/Bugey)

2 / 2 / 2^R (reported)