The new estimate from the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) reviews the cost of nuclear production and increases it to 60.70 euros/MWH in the period 2026-2030, 59.10 euros in the period 2031-2035 and 57. 30 euros in the period 2036-2040.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has revised upwards the cost of electricity production of the current nuclear park for the next 20 years, which it estimates between 57 and 61 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), figures, however, much lower than the planned. presented by EDF, according to a confidential report revealed to the press on Tuesday.
In a letter dated March 10, 2023, the government asked the energy regulator to update its assessment of the production cost of the existing nuclear park, including the EPR Flamanville, which will enter service in the first quarter of 2024. This was estimated . by the CRE at 48.36 euros per MWh in 2020.
The new CRE estimate entails an increase in the cost of nuclear production, including dismantling, which increases to 60.70 euros/MWH during the period 2026-2030, 59.10 euros during the period 2031-2035 and 57.30 euros during the period 2036-2040.
These figures are, however, much lower than those presented by EDF to the CRE, since the electrician has estimated its costs at 74.80 EUR/MWh for the period 2026-2030; 73.90 EUR/MWh during the period 2031-2035 and 69.90 EUR/MWh during the period 2036-2040, according to the summary of this confidential report presented to the Government in July and revealed on Tuesday by the online medium Context.
Find a new way to regulate
This new analysis is part of “the work related to a new regulation of the electricity market” desired by Emmanuel Macron, explained the Ministry of Energy Transition during a meeting with some journalists.
The goal is that “French consumers, households and companies can benefit from stable prices close to the costs of electricity production in France,” the ministry added.
Questioned, EDF management did not want to comment on this report, while talks continue with the government to find a new form of regulation for the nuclear energy of tomorrow.
In fact, the State and EDF are working on the development of the new framework that will take over from Arenh in 2025. This mechanism, widely criticized by EDF, forces the historical supplier to sell part of its electricity to alternative suppliers, at a low price. of 42 euros, which has never been revalued.
For the ministry, the new CRE estimates do not constitute “hypotheses of the current level of nuclear regulation, an issue on which (…) the Government must present proposals in the coming weeks,” it stated. .
