Nuclear: EDF is considering awarding the mega-project of the EPRs to the French trio Bouygues-Eiffage-Vinci

EDF is called upon to build six new EPR2 reactors, the first two of which are to enter service in 2038 in Penly, Seine-Maritime, before the others planned for Gravelines (Nord) and then Bugey (Ain).

According to the newspaper Les Échos, "for the structural work contract, estimated at around ten billion euros (in 2020 euros), the three majors Vinci, Bouygues, Eiffage not only joined forces, but also brought on board NGE and Fayat, the fourth and fifth largest companies in the sector, Fayat being a regular partner of the giant Vinci," the newspaper reports.

"The electrician, who until now has retained Eiffage for the only pair of Penly, hopes to reduce the costs and delays of the 'project of the century'", reports the newspaper Les Échos.

The stakes are considerable: civil engineering represents the largest expense in the budget for the six EPR2 reactors submitted by EDF to the French government at the end of December, estimated at €72,8 billion, including safety margins. The "structural work" is among the areas for further "optimization" identified, totaling €9,9 billion.

EDF has neither confirmed nor denied this information; neither have Vinci and Bouygues, contacted by AFP.