France announced last fall that it intended to support the construction of six new reactors in Penly, Gravelines and Bugey with preferential loans and price support for 40 years.
In a preliminary review, the European Commission now finds that the project is "necessary" - but a formal investigation is still being initiated.
"It is important to ensure that support is limited to what is strictly necessary," a press release states.
Last fall, a similar review led to the green light for state support for Polish nuclear power, after the price support period there was shortened from 60 to 40 years.
The French new construction projects will be completed no earlier than 2038 and are estimated to cost 72.8 billion euros - almost 800 billion kronor.
