Universal Registration Document 2021

1.4.1.1.2 Nuclear power generation in France

The electricity generated by EDF in France from its fleet of nuclear power plants represented 88.6% of its total electricity generation in 2021 (excluding pumped storage hydropower), and 87,3% including pumped storage hydropower.

1.4.1.1.2.1 EDF’s nuclear fleet in France and its operation

EDF’s PWR model is divided into three series of available electrical power:

• a 900MW series consisting of 32 operating units of (for a total power capacity of 29,010MW) with an average age of 39 years;
• a 1,300MW series consisting of 20 operating units of (for a total power capacity of 26,370MW) with an average age of 33 years;
• the N4 series, which is the most recent with an average age of 21 years, consisting of 4 operating units (for a total power capacity of 5,990MW);

for a total of 56 functioning units spread over 18 sites ⁽¹⁾ owned by EDF, and constituting a total authorised capacity of 61,370MW as at 31 December 2021. With an average age of approximately 36 years, EDF’s nuclear fleet is about average compared to the fleets installed worldwide.

The commissioning and most recent ten-year inspection (VD) dates for these units as of end-2021 are as follows ⁽²⁾:

(1) After the permanent shutdown in 2020 of the two 900MW Fessenheim units.

(2) EDF first-generation design plants have been gradually shut down and are currently being decommissioned. The Fessenheim plant has also been shut down in 2020 (see section 1.4.1.1.2.3 - C "Issues related to decommissioning of nuclear power plants”).