The French government could grant EDF a zero-interest loan to finance nuclear power

The French government could grant EDF a zero-interest loan to finance the construction of six new nuclear power stations. The cost of the programme is currently estimated at €67.4 billion. The option of zero-interest financing was used by the Czech Republic to finance the construction of the Dukovany nuclear power plant, the financing scheme having been approved by the European Commission. A zero-interest loan would be granted to EDF to finance the construction phase of the power plants, thereby eliminating interest payments and consequently reducing the cost of building the plants. A loan at a ‘reasonable rate’ would then take over once the power stations have been commissioned. Interim interest represented almost a third of the construction cost of the Flamanville power station.