An EDF executive said last week the state-owned utility’s cash operating costs were between 30 and 40 euros per MWh, excluding initial investment costs and future decommissioning costs – and about 55 euros including all costs. French forward wholesale power prices trade around 30 euros per MWH after falling as low as 26 euros in February-March. EDF plans to spend 50 billion euros on extending the lifespan of its ageing French nuclear fleet and plans an 18 billion pound ($26 billion) nuclear investment in Hinkley Point, Britain, based on the assumption that power prices will recover in coming years. In the United States, several nuclear power stations have been permanently closed in recent years as they are no longer able to compete with cheap shale gas and renewable energy.
Reuters 23rd May 2016 read more »