PARIS, Nov 17 (Reuters) - French utility EDF will need to invest more than 100 billion euros ($116 billion) between 2014 and 2035 to extend the lifetime of its fleet of 57 nuclear reactors by up to 60 years, the French Court of Auditors said in a report on Monday.

EDF will have to balance these costs with the expenses of building an additional six next generation (EPR2) reactors, which are expected to have a final cost estimate by the end of the year with a final investment decision expected in the second half of 2026.

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The renovations are expected to be positive for the French electricity system and should prove profitable for EDF if production forecasts are met, the court said.

The renovation costs are also expected to remain competitive compared to the EPR2 construction programme, it added, which is seen as a way to replace some of the reactors that will not meet the requirements needed for an extension.

EDF declined to comment.

EDF expects to produce between 350 and 370 terawatt hours of electricity in 2026 and 2027, which is higher than recent years following a heavy maintenance programme in 2022. New CEO Bernard Fontana has previously said he wants to get the fleet back to producing 400 TWh by 2030.

France's nuclear fleet accounts for about 70% of power production in the country and has helped push the nation's power prices below that of neighbours like Germany and Britain that rely heavily on gas-fired power plants.

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https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/edf-fleet-upkeep-will-cost-over-100-billion-euros-by-2035-court-auditors-says-2025-11-17/