Bernard Fontana confirmed as Head of EDF: His six priorities
Approved by Parliament, Bernard Fontana takes over the helm of EDF with a demanding industrial roadmap. The former CEO of Framatome arrives with a clear objective: to improve the performance of the nuclear fleet, keep new nuclear projects on track, and ensure the group’s financial sustainability. Here’s a look at the six priorities of the man who pledges to “project nuclear power into the future.”
On Wednesday, April 30, Parliament confirmed Bernard Fontana’s appointment as Chairman and CEO of EDF, succeeding Luc Rémont, who had held the position since 2022. The Economic Affairs Committees of both the Senate and the National Assembly approved the nomination with a combined majority of 55 votes to 40 after a series of morning hearings.
An engineer by training and currently CEO of Framatome, Bernard Fontana is no stranger to complex industrial environments. His appointment, announced by the Élysée on March 21 following the Nuclear Policy Council, aims to support the revival of France’s nuclear sector, especially through increased nuclear output and the successful deployment of the EPR2 program.
During his parliamentary hearing, Fontana presented a focused roadmap built around six key priorities. His guiding principle: “.
🔴 Présidence d’@EDFofficiel : audition de Bernard Fontana
Suivez l’audition de @BernardFontana, candidat proposé aux fonctions de président-directeur général d’Électricité de France (EDF), par la #ComAfEcoSénat (@Dominiq_Estrosi). https://t.co/1u5AF7g43N
— Sénat (@Senat) April 30, 2025
1. Sustainably relaunch nuclear power generation
The first goal is to increase the availability of the French nuclear fleet, aiming for 400 TWh of electricity production by 2030, compared to 361.7 TWh in 2024 — already close to the historical peak. To achieve this, Fontana intends to reduce maintenance outage durations, optimize intervention planning, and boost reactor output “wherever possible.”
2. Offer competitive electricity prices to industrials
The long-awaited CAPN contracts (Contracts for the Allocation of Nuclear Production) are expected to help stabilize electricity prices for major energy-intensive consumers. Drawing on his experience at Framatome, Fontana plans to leverage his deep understanding of the industrial fabric to finalize these strategic agreements.
3. Control the costs and timelines of the EPR2 program
By the end of 2025, EDF must deliver a detailed budget and timeline for the construction of six new EPR2 reactors. A final investment decision is expected no later than the second half of 2026, with commissioning planned before the end of 2038. Fontana emphasizes learning from past experience: “At Hinkley Point, the construction of the second reactor is progressing 30% faster than the first.”
4. Restart investments in hydropower
This sector, stagnant for nearly 15 years, can only move forward if an agreement is reached with the European Commission. Fontana’s stance is clear: “The red line is competitive tendering.” In other words, EDF will only invest if the management of its historical concessions remains protected.
5. Complete the ongoing offshore wind projects
EDF is already involved in several offshore wind farms awarded through tenders. The new CEO intends to honor those commitments, while also pointing out that “the timeline for renewable energy development is in the hands of the government.” These projects are seen as complementary, but not core to the company’s strategy.
6. Ensure the financial sustainability of the group
With a net profit of €11.4 billion in 2024 and a return to dividend payments to the State, EDF has regained financial breathing room. Fontana has set a clear target: to keep the debt-to-EBITDA ratio below 2.5. This benchmark will condition all future investments — particularly those in new nuclear projects.
“I love industry”
Fontana summed up his approach in a simple yet telling phrase: “I love industry — it’s been my entire career!” These were among his first words during the Senate hearing. His career path — including leadership roles at SNPE (formerly the National Company for Powders and Explosives), Holcim, Areva NP, and Framatome — highlights his deep industrial expertise. Just a few weeks earlier, Prime Minister François Bayrou had praised a forward-looking appointment: “Bernard Fontana is an industrialist used to managing teams and large-scale projects. The decision made is to take nuclear into the future.” ■