"In view of this unequivocal finding, speculation about a possible need for higher provisions has no basis in fact," E.ON, RWE, EnBW and Vattenfall say in a joint statement issued over the weekend.

The utilities have set aside billions for the upcoming decommissioning and storage of nuclear waste, but the funds have been deemed insufficient by the media and anti-nuclear groups, who suspect the utilities want to eventually pass on the costs to the general public.

One