«I confirm to you today the State’s intention to hold 100% of EDF’s capital. This development will enable EDF to strengthen its capacity to carry out ambitious and essential projects for our energy future as soon as possible», she declared before the National Assembly.
The State now owns nearly 84% of the electrician, 1% being held by employees and 15% by institutional and individual shareholders.
The group, already heavily indebted, is facing heavy financial burdens, and is also being challenged by the government to launch a new nuclear reactor program.
“The energy transition goes through nuclear,” insisted Ms. Borne, taking up the position adopted this winter by President Emmanuel Macron.
EDF shares jumped on the Paris Stock Exchange on Wednesday after Ms. Borne’s announcement.
The title took 5.56% to 8.28 euros around 3:45 p.m., in a market up 1.86%. Before the speech, the price was down sharply, by 5%.