EDF’s proposal is a first fleet of 10 NUWARD small modular reactor plants in the EU by 2035, requiring investment in the tens of billions of euros. The first unit is planned for France; EDF and its Italian subsidiary Edison aim for a subsequent Italian project, subject to Italy’s still-developing nuclear regulatory framework. 24

• Technology and purpose: NUWARD is being repositioned around a simpler, more proven third-generation pressurized-water-reactor approach after earlier design complexity, schedule, and cost concerns. The proposed plant is designed to provide roughly 400 MW of electricity plus industrial heat—useful for continuous power and heat at emissions-intensive industrial sites. 13

• Economics: EDF’s target electricity cost is about €100/MWh. It argues this should be benchmarked against dispatchable gas-fired generation rather than variable renewable generation. A standardized 10-unit order is intended to create replication, procurement, manufacturing, and construction efficiencies that reduce unit costs and delivery risk. 62

• Italy’s role: Edison is EDF’s local development and industrial partner. An Italian installation, potentially in central-northern Italy, is envisaged around 2035, but depends on the legal framework being completed; reporting indicates the enabling legislation was still expected rather than already fully in force. 414

• Partnership model: The plan is presented as an equal Franco-Italian industrial partnership, with Italian suppliers—including Saipem and Webuild—intended to participate from the design phase rather than merely as contractors after the design is fixed. 78

• Geographic pipeline: EDF has said it is discussing opportunities with Poland, Belgium, and Finland as potential customers or host countries, alongside France and Italy. 2

• Strategic rationale: The project seeks to reduce European dependence on imported fossil fuels while offering a low-carbon option for hard-to-abate industrial demand. It is also EDF’s attempt to establish a European SMR supply chain before countries already advancing SMR manufacturing and deployment secure a durable industrial lead. 42

The crucial caveat is that this is an ambitious development and commercialization plan, not a set of licensed, financed, and site-approved projects: regulatory approval, financing, final design completion, supply-chain execution, and host-country consent remain decisive risks. 34

EDF’s proposal is a first fleet of 10 NUWARD small modular reactor plants in the EU by 2035, requiring investment in the tens of billions of euros. The first unit is planned for France; EDF and its Italian subsidiary Edison aim for a subsequent Italian project, subject to Italy’s still-developing nuclear regulatory framework. 24

• Technology and purpose: NUWARD is being repositioned around a simpler, more proven third-generation pressurized-water-reactor approach after earlier design complexity, schedule, and cost concerns. The proposed plant is designed to provide roughly 400 MW of electricity plus industrial heat—useful for continuous power and heat at emissions-intensive industrial sites. 13

• Economics: EDF’s target electricity cost is about €100/MWh. It argues this should be benchmarked against dispatchable gas-fired generation rather than variable renewable generation. A standardized 10-unit order is intended to create replication, procurement, manufacturing, and construction efficiencies that reduce unit costs and delivery risk. 62

• Italy’s role: Edison is EDF’s local development and industrial partner. An Italian installation, potentially in central-northern Italy, is envisaged around 2035, but depends on the legal framework being completed; reporting indicates the enabling legislation was still expected rather than already fully in force. 414

• Partnership model: The plan is presented as an equal Franco-Italian industrial partnership, with Italian suppliers—including Saipem and Webuild—intended to participate from the design phase rather than merely as contractors after the design is fixed. 78

• Geographic pipeline: EDF has said it is discussing opportunities with Poland, Belgium, and Finland as potential customers or host countries, alongside France and Italy. 2

• Strategic rationale: The project seeks to reduce European dependence on imported fossil fuels while offering a low-carbon option for hard-to-abate industrial demand. It is also EDF’s attempt to establish a European SMR supply chain before countries already advancing SMR manufacturing and deployment secure a durable industrial lead. 42

The crucial caveat is that this is an ambitious development and commercialization plan, not a set of licensed, financed, and site-approved projects: regulatory approval, financing, final design completion, supply-chain execution, and host-country consent remain decisive risks. 34