France’s EDF would need 12 to 15 years to execute and commission a first proposed pair of new nuclear units from the time a final new-build decision is made, according to the company’s director for a future new build programme in France, Olivier Bard.The state-owned utility and nuclear operator is involved in an ongoing formal process initiated and driven by the French government to prepare a decision on a domestic new build programme.EDF is looking at building six EPR 2 units in pairs to be successively commissioned between the mid-2030s and early 2040s with the aim of contributing to replacing reactors that are expected to retire.