For countries that have chosen nuclear power such as France, EPR reactors offer a highly efficient and secure method of producing carbon-free electricity. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear power market will experience strong growth in the coming decades.

First-generation EPRs in full development around the world

The EPR is a 1600 MW pressurized water reactor. It was developed to be even safer and more environmentally friendly than the first reactors. Designed in France, it is reputed to be the most powerful reactor in the world. With the capacity to power a city like Paris, it has already been adopted by China, Finland, Great Britain and France.

It incorporates feedback from the operation of second-generation reactors in terms of performance and safety thanks to its additional redundancies and its reinforced containment.

This reactor has the advantage of consuming very little uranium, that means 20% less uranium per kWh of electricity produced than French reactors in operation. It is therefore less toxic and produces less waste.

After the EPR reactors in France, the new reactors EPR2   

In his announcement in Belfort on February 10, 2022, Emmanuel Macron cites that “the world of tomorrow will be more electric” and “the country would need 60% more electricity“, due to “the electrification of all our practices“. Thus he elaborates his energy strategy for France in 2050 by opting for the construction of new EPR2 reactors.

He stated that the first construction site would begin in 2028, with “220,000 jobs preserved for years, including 10,000 created”.

The EPR reactors in France would present “significant progress” compared to the first generation EPR. It will be completed by small modular reactors (SMR) and innovative reactors that will produce less waste and more electricity.

These reactors will also be “the first reactors to be completely designed in a digitized way,” with 4D simulation and 3D visualization that will better detect anomalies. The construction of several copies, as well as the optimizations made on civil engineering and construction methods, “will allow for economies of scale,” says EDF.

However, the French Court of Auditors has emphasized the major financial stakes involved in this program, with an estimated construction cost of 50 billion euros, “In general, 1 billion invested in nuclear power generates 2 to 2.5 billion in indirect benefits for the eco-system,” says Jean-François Debost, general manager of the Nuclear Valley competitiveness cluster.

The flourish EPR2 market in France

EDF is the leading player in the development of the future EPR 2. These new-generation reactors, designed on the model of the Flamanville reactor, but standardized, will therefore be simpler and less expensive to build.

The group hopes to use this new technology to renew France’s nuclear fleet in the years to come. In response to demand from the industry, which wants to maintain its skills in plant construction, EDF is already planning to commission new plants.

As part of the France Relance program, EDF has proposed the construction of six EPR2 plants to be delivered by 2035 at the Bugey and Tricastin sites.

Jean-François Debost estimates that the construction of an EPR would create an average of 3 to 4,000 jobs, with peaks of 6 to 7,000 jobs over a ten-year period.

This project to revive the nuclear industry promises to be an opportunity for companies in the sector through calls for tender.

In addition, a dozen Aurhalpines companies have already won various tenders.  “We have seen the arrival of new companies attracted by the dynamics of the sector of activity. Companies that were not involved in the nuclear industry now want to diversify. Others are increasing their skills, purchasing machines to better meet the sector’s demands.“

As an example, we can mention the model of the company REEL, selected in the framework of a call for tender. The ETI, which specializes in the design, manufacture and maintenance of complex mechanical equipment in critical environments, received a 40% subsidy from France Relance.

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