# EU scrutiny of French nuclear state aid and EPR development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/eu-scrutiny-of-french-nuclear-state-aid-and-epr-development > Updated: 2026-09-26T08:54:38.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into France’s state aid regarding EDF and its nuclear energy projects. Initiated under Article 108(2) of the TFEU, the procedure examines the conditions under which the state provides strategic investment for large-scale nuclear infrastructure to ensure compliance with EU rules. Parallel to this regulatory scrutiny, EDF is advancing its EPR2 reactor program. The company is currently selecting sites for these new reactors, with the Golfech nuclear power plant in the Occitanie region being formally proposed for two units. Meanwhile, the Flamanville EPR reactor has entered a scheduled 350-day maintenance period. This follows a period of technical and financial difficulties for the Flamanville project; since connecting to the grid in late 2024, the plant has experienced 13 shutdowns. Reports indicate that for 52% of its operating hours, the plant consumed more power than it produced. While initial cost estimates for Flamanville 3 were 3.3 billion euros, the French Court of Auditors has placed the total terminal cost at 23.7 billion euros. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-26: France faces EU scrutiny over nuclear aid as Flamanville EPR enters maintenance The EU has opened a formal probe into France's nuclear state aid plans, while the Flamanville EPR reactor enters a 350-day maintenance period following significant cost increases and technical challenges. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-faces-eu-scrutiny-over-nuclear-aid-as-flamanville-epr-enters-maintenance ### 2026-09-22: France faces EU scrutiny over nuclear state aid as EDF selects EPR2 sites The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into French state aid for nuclear energy, while EDF evaluates sites, including Golfech, for its new EPR2 reactor program. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/france-faces-eu-scrutiny-over-nuclear-state-aid-as-edf-selects-epr2-sites --- Cite as: EU scrutiny of French nuclear state aid and EPR development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/eu-scrutiny-of-french-nuclear-state-aid-and-epr-development