A CRUCIAL CHALLENGE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY

A CORPORATE CHALLENGE

The dismantling and value development of former facilities demonstrates the flexibility of the nuclear industry: like any industrial activity, a nuclear site has a finite life span. Following their redevelopment, sites can be used to host new businesses.

A TECHNICAL CHALLENGE

Due to the size and complexity of the facilities to be decontaminated and dismantled, value development operations represent major worksites that require significant volumes of concrete, steel, copper, etc. to be dealt with under difficult conditions.

Significant efforts for development have enabled us to identify now-proven procedures and techniques. The feasibility of the operations has been shown on sites across the world over the past 15 years.

AN ECONOMIC CHALLENGE

Hundreds of millions of euros will be invested in site value development. Worksites will need to be in place for many years, and generate several thousand jobs. They enable significant economic activity to take place following the shutdown of the facilities, pending the implementation of new industrial projects. They provide ongoing local economic activity.

INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY OF THE FUTURE

Out of the 500 nuclear power plants around the world, over a hundred have reached the end of their service life. There are also dozens of research units and fuel and recycling production plants.

The value development of these closed sites is set to become a top ranking industrial business activity and will find its place within the life cycle of a facility:

• Design
• Construction
• Operation
• Shutdown and value development

AREVA deploys a range of specific skills and expertise. New professions are appearing (Head of Value Development Project, Case Study and Feedback Manager, Operational Dismantling Methods Manager, Rinsing Operator, etc.) and new training and dedicated support is being put in place.