French energy group EDF raised Wednesday the total cost of its long-delayed new-generation nuclear reactor at Flamanville in western France by 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) to 8.5 billion.

EDF however maintained its schedule to start producing energy at the site in 2016, four years later then the original set date.

Built by Areva and due to be operated by EDF, it is one of four European Pressurised Reactor projects in the world, including another much-delayed one planned in Finland, whose production date has been delayed indefinitely.

Two other EPR reactors are being built in Taishan in southeastern China.