The group warned that it would be heavily affected in 2022, in particular by nuclear production at half mast.
In difficulty, EDF unveiled this Friday morning a capital increase project of around 2.5 billion euros. The State will participate in this recapitalization to the tune of 2.1 billion, said Bruno Le Maire, on RTL. “The State will participate in the recapitalization of EDF to the tune of more than 2 billion euros to support EDF, which is going through a difficult financial period“said the Minister of the Economy.
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These 2.1 billion euros correspond to the share held by the State in EDF. “The State holds 84% of EDF. The State will participate up to these nearly 84% in this recapitalization“, indicated Bruno Le Maire. “This is a very strong sign of state support for EDF», Launched the Minister of the Economy. “It has nothing to do with nationalization. It’s new money that we bring to EDF so that it can get through this difficult financial period.” Difficulties “related to the unavailability of nuclear reactors, therefore [EDF] sells less nuclear electricity, so revenues are lower“, underlined the minister.
If the group saw its net profit multiplied by 8 last year to 5.1 billion euros, benefiting in particular from good nuclear production in France, the year 2022 promises to be difficult. In question, problems in nuclear production, because of corrosion problems on several reactors, and the impact of government measures to limit the rise in electricity bills. “We have been experiencing difficulties since the beginning of 2022“, which will require “an action plan“, said CEO Jean-Bernard Lévy to journalists. In addition to its recapitalization, the energy company announced disposals of around 3 billion euros in total over the years 2022-2023-2024.
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With a net debt of 43 billion euros at the end of last year, the group must also deal with significant investments. President Emmanuel Macron has just announced his intention to build 6 EPR reactors in France, with studies for 8 more.