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reactors operate in a closed fuel cycle, and the used fuel of some installations becomes the raw material for fresh fuel for other reactors,” said Alexander Ugryumov, Senior Vice President for Research Activities at TVEL. He added: “Today we are already undergoing
trial operation of both the design of the fifth- generation fuel assembly for the VVER-1200, and fuel rods with MOX fuel and chrome cladding.” Before loading the fuel into the VVER-1000
core, Rosatom tested the fuel rods in a reactor at the Scientific Research Institute of Atomic Reactors as well as at the BFS-1 critical stand at the AI Leipunsky Institute of Physics & Power Engineering (IPPE) in Obninsk.
France EC launches probe into nuclear plans The European Commission (EC) has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that France plans to grant for the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors is in line with EU State aid rules. In November 2025, France notified the
Commission of its plan to support the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 9990 MWe. The six new EPR2 reactors will be built in pairs at the existing Penly, Gravelines and Bugey NPP sites. The new units are planned for commissioning between 2038 and 2044, and to have a lifetime of 60 years each. Total construction costs are currently estimated at €72.8bn ($83.7bn). In March, France’s 5th Nuclear Policy Council
(CPN – Conseil Politique Nucléaire) confirmed the main principles and parameters of the financing and regulatory plan for the EPR2 programme. Beyond the initial six reactors, the Council officially requested EDF submit preliminary studies for an additional eight units. According to the EC, the project aims to
increase the security of electricity supply for France and for neighbouring countries, as well as to contribute to EU decarbonisation targets. France plans to support this project through three measures including a subsidised loan at a preferential rate, covering 60% of the estimated construction costs and a two-way contract for difference running for 40 years to provide stable revenues to the plants. A risk- sharing mechanism to provide protection against risks outside EDF’s control, such as unforeseeable natural disasters and changes in national law. The EC noted: “At this stage, based on its
preliminary assessment, the Commission has found the project necessary and considers that the aid facilitates the development of an economic activity. The Commission also recognises the potential contribution of the project to security of supply and decarbonisation. Nevertheless, the Commission considers it necessary to assess whether the measure is fully in line with EU State aid rules.” For this reason, the EC decided to open an in-
depth investigation in relation to: ● The appropriateness and proportionality of the aid package. Since there are several
aid measures that can limit the risk for the beneficiary, it is important to ensure that aid is limited to what is strictly necessary. “In particular, the Commission has doubts on whether the proposed package achieves an appropriate balance between reducing risks to enable the investment and maintaining incentives for efficient behaviour, while avoiding excessive risk transfer to the State.”
● The impact of the measure on competition in the market and whether this is kept to the minimum. “In particular, the Commission has concerns that the measure may consolidate or indirectly reinforce EDF’s market power. The Commission will also investigate whether there are sufficient safeguards to ensure that EDF’s trading strategy will not lead to market distortions, and to prevent that aid is transferred to specific market participants.”
● Compliance with other provisions of EU law, in particular with the design principles set out in the Electricity Regulation.
Based on previous EC decisions for similar
nuclear projects and the specific concerns raised in the current probe, it is likely that approval for France’s six-reactor plan will be conditional. The EC typically imposes structural and behavioural remedies to prevent state aid from unfairly distorting competition or entrenching a state-owned operator’s market dominance. Based on the Commission’s opening statement
and historical precedents such as Hinkley Point C in the UK and Paks II in Hungary, a number of conditions are possible. Market Liquidity Requirements: To prevent EDF
from hoarding the electricity generated, the EC may require a significant percentage (typically 30% or more) of the output to be sold on open, transparent power exchanges rather than through internal EDF channels. Profit-Sharing (Gain-Share) Mechanisms: If the
reactors become more profitable than expected (possibly due to high electricity prices), the EC often mandates a mechanism where excess profits are returned to the state or used to reduce the subsidy, ensuring the aid remains proportionate. Strict Structural Separation: The EC has
expressed concerns about reinforcing EDF’s market power. It may require the new reactors to be managed by a functionally and legally independent entity from EDF’s existing generation fleet to ensure fair competition. Operational Incentives: Regulators want to
ensure the Risk-Sharing Mechanism does not remove EDF’s incentive to operate efficiently. Conditions may be added to cap the amount of risk the state can absorb for construction delays or cost overruns. Procurement Transparency: Following an EU
Court ruling in September 2025 that annulled a previous nuclear aid decision related to Paks II due to procurement flaws, the EC will likely impose strict oversight on how construction contracts are awarded to ensure they follow EU public tender rules.
round up
D&D
GERMANY’S GROHNDE NPP, which was shut down in December 2021, and has been under dismantling since January 2024, has now been defuelled. A total of 694 fuel elements have been loaded from the storage pool into CASTOR containers since 2023 and transferred to the Grohnde interim fuel storage facility.
SOCIETÀ GESTIONE IMPIANTI Nucleari (Sogin), Italy’s state-owned company responsible for decommissioning nuclear facilities and for the management of radioactive waste, and Japan Atomic Power Company (JAPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a joint study for decommissioning graphite-moderated nuclear reactors.
THE DISMANTLING OF THE reactor channels of unit 1 at Lithuania’s Ignalina NPP (INPP) has been completed and nuclear Energetikos Saugos Inspekcija) has now issued a permit to INPP for dismantling and decontamination works on the upper and lower zone equipment of the reactor channels of unit 2.
THE UK’S HUNTERSTON B NPP in North Ayrshire, Scotland, has transferred ownership from EDF to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to be decommissioned by NDA subsidiary Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS). Hunterston B stopped generating in January 2022. Over the next two decades, the NDA’s mission will expand to include the decommissioning of all seven UK advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) power stations.
ADVANCED REACTORS THE DEPARTMENT OF Energy’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) has recently awarded three second-round fiscal year 2026 vouchers to support the development of advanced nuclear technologies. Each company will get access to specific capabilities and expertise in DOE’s national laboratory complex. The three companies receiving awards are Constellation Energy, Nano Nuclear Energy and NuCube Energy.
CANADA-BASED ARC CLEAN Technology has signed a term sheet with IC Nuclear & Industry (ICN), a member of IC Holding to establish the commercial framework for deployment of its ARC-100 in Türkiye and the region. The collaboration supports ICN’s active role in Türkiye’s Domestic Nuclear Reactor Development Project announced by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, while establishing a comprehensive framework for advanced nuclear deployment.
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