according to a method of economic current cost

EDF is concerned to the costs of the next reform of the electricity market. "Attention to the heritage value of this business!", Philippe Huet, Director of the strategy, launched yesterday at the 10th parliamentary meetings on energy. His cry of the heart reflects tensions between public authorities and the electrician act under preparation. It provides an access to the "annuity nuclear", allowing them to buy at a good price a portion of the basic electricity (that consumed permanently throughout the year) produced by the incumbent operator already amortized plants competitors to EDF.

If the principle is acquired, the exact price and the volumes in question are of serious sticking points. On the first topic, the Direct alternative supplier energy defends a price of 34 euros the megawatt-hour from the introduction of the Act, scheduled for July 2010. "Beyond, it is not economic space for the competition", said its Director General, Fabien Charlton. This level corresponds to the base power in current regulated tariffs, according to EDF. The electrician however considers that it does not reflect its costs and argues for a price of approximately 46 euros in the medium term, i.e. 35 more, and 40 euros in 2010.

The public authorities, them, looking for a tariff gentle slope, even if adjustments in the device, for at least fifteen years. According to a letter sent on 15 September by the Prime Minister, François Fillon at the European Commission, the price "would be defined by the regulator to cover the costs of the historic nuclear Park over the period (including expenses of operation, long term, investments, maintenance and extension of existing plants to date eventually).", according to a method of economic current cost.

Regarding volumes, Paris has pledged to Brussels to allow competitors to EDF to obtain up to 100 terawatt hours of electricity at prices reduced by year. Or about 25 of EDF nuclear production. But the company is concerned that this envelope does not include existing contracts, which represent the same volume: auction capabilities (43 TWh in 2008), contracts for long term (47 TWh) and auction to alternative providers (10 TWh). In total, EDF could see half of its nuclear production go to competitors! The issue is yet to be determined by the Government, the group is currently conducting intense lobbying on the issue.

For the Government, it is the subtle balance between market opening promised to the European Commission and the stimulation of investment. With guaranteed access to cheap nuclear, what competitor of EDF wish to invest in new production capacity

A calendar "very tight".

The State wants to move quickly: he is currently an interdepartmental meeting per week and intends to stabilize a text of law in early November. It would be passed in the wake for the Council of State, to be found on the bureau of the Parliament in early 2010, and then be voted in the spring. A calendar "very tight", is concerned about François-Michel Gonnot, UMP member of Oise and specialist of the record. The European Commission, which initially expected adoption of the Act before the end of the year, ensures the grain. Before throwing the proceedings against the France pricing, it wants to ensure that the voted text will be consistent with European principles.