French nuclear industry and research leaders in Prague

For the first time, such an exceptional number of heads of French nuclear companies and research institutions have gathered in one place in Czechia, accompanied by a political delegation led by President Emmanuel Macron. At the Czech-French Nuclear Forum in Prague, they discussed with their Czech counterparts opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries in nuclear research and the construction of new reactors. The French delegation also presented its long-term vision for Europe’s energy sector and explained how EDF’s participation in the tender to build nuclear units in Czechia fits into it.

A large part of the discussions focused on education and research. Speakers on the topic included

Petr Konvalinka, president of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, and his French counterpart, Thierry Damerval of the French National Research Agency (ANR). The two organisations recently signed a cooperation agreement, and concrete applied research programmes to put it into practice were already discussed at the nuclear forum.

François Jacq, chairman of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), called for cooperation in science and research not only between the two countries, but also across the EU. CEA is a leading European research institution and a key player, for example, in the well-known ITER project, which explores the potential of thermonuclear fusion.

Steps towards independence

Another prominent guest at the event was Nicolas Maes, head of Orano, Europe’s leading uranium processor and a world leader in recycling spent nuclear fuel. On the same day, Orano signed a contract with Czech company ČEZ to provide uranium enrichment services for the Dukovany nuclear power plant. Until now, this service had been provided by Russia’s TVEL.

“Securing a Western provider of uranium enrichment services for Dukovany is an important step not only for Czech energy but for the whole of Czechia. It will further significantly strengthen energy security,” ČEZ CEO Daniel Beneš said at the signing.

An Airbus of nuclear energy

The issue of energy independence from Russia ran throughout the event, which culminated in an address by the French president. He described nuclear power as a key tool for ensuring energy security in Europe and an important contribution to tackling climate change. Emmanuel Macron called Europe’s retreat from the solar panel market, which has effectively left the field open to China, a mistake and called for a fully European solution in nuclear energy.

“If we create a sovereign European industrial sector for new nuclear construction projects, it could form the basis for an ‘Airbus of nuclear energy’, delivering positive economies of scale,” he said in his speech. He was referring to the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, which relies on a range of European suppliers, including Czech ones.

Made in Europe

Potential cooperation on building new nuclear units was logically another major topic at the event. EDF CEO Luc Rémont noted that the situation has changed since the last century, when France was able to build dozens of reactors on its own. “Today, no single country can build new units alone; cooperation between several European countries is needed. That is why our goal is to create a European supply chain with strong involvement from Czech companies.”

Xavier Ursat, chairman of the French nuclear industry association GIFEN, followed up: “If EDF succeeds in the tender for new nuclear units in Czechia, it will create opportunities for Czech companies in other European countries where we will be building, too.” The French state-owned company is currently building two new units in England and preparing two more there. In France, the government has already approved investment in six units, and eight more are under serious consideration. EDF is also holding talks on new reactors in Sweden, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, for example.

France makes no secret of its ambition to lead Europe’s nuclear renaissance using its proven EPR reactors. This is also why state-owned EDF is taking part in the ongoing tender for a new Czech nuclear programme, offering its EPR1200 reactor and emphasising that it is the only technology that is 100% “Made in Europe”.