From gaseous diffusion to centrifugation…

The start-up of Georges Besse II (GB II) will give the group access to centrifugation technology for uranium enrichment. GB II will ultimately replace EURODIF's gaseous diffusion enrichment plant, which has operated at the same location at the Tricastin site since 1978.

The Georges Besse II plant is in direct line with AREVA's continuous improvement and sustainable development initiative. In fact, the centrifugation enrichment process will further boost the new plant's safety and environmental performance. This technology offers the advantage of consuming 50 times less electricity than the gaseous diffusion process. Moreover, it does not need to tap into the Rhône River for cooling water.

Civil works and construction began in the summer of 2006. The first production modules will come on line in 2009, and plant capacity will gradually ramp up through 2017. Construction should last about ten years and employ close to 400 people.