The nuclear decommissioning market - France

The global nuclear decommissioning market is experiencing growth, valued at $6.655 billion in 2022, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% until 2028. With regulators worldwide increasingly focusing on environmental safety and radiological risk reduction, many countries are investing heavily in the sector. As of 2023, 412 nuclear reactors are in operation globally, with the USA, France, and China hosting nearly half of these. The trend is towards dismantling reactors soon after shutdown, with a total of 209 reactors already shut down as of late 2022. France, facing an aged fleet with an average reactor age of 37.6 years, is preparing for substantial decommissioning activities in the near future. Overall, the nuclear decommissioning sector is on the rise, driven by end-of-life-cycle nuclear reactors and technological advancements, presenting opportunities for specialized companies in engineering, construction, demolition, and waste management.

"Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Nuclear Decommissioning in France"

France, with its extensive background in the nuclear industry, stands at the forefront of the nuclear decommissioning market, which is showing signs of significant expansion. As national and global energy policies adapt to the climate realities of the 21st century, nuclear decommissioning has become an integral aspect of ensuring environmental safety and managing the transition from operational nuclear facilities to their eventual dismantlement. Within the French territory, the nuclear decommissioning sector is an emerging yet substantial market valued at nearly one billion euros in 2022. This figure underscores the country's involvement and anticipated investments in the meticulous process of nuclear facility decommissioning.

France's decommissioning activities, projected to intensify in the coming decades, align with a broader European market that is estimated to be worth around 95 billion euros over the period leading up to 2050. Annualized, this signifies a market opportunity amounting to over three billion euros each year, with France claiming a substantial share of roughly 20 billion euros by mid-century. The current French landscape points to multiple ongoing decommissioning projects, including the monumental task of dismantling the Fessenheim plant, as well as others that have completed their operational cycles. It is estimated that by 2050, due to the limited lifespan of nuclear reactors, France will see an accelerated rate of reactor decommissioning, especially concentrated between the years 2030 and 2050.

In addition, there exists a palpable public endorsement of nuclear energy within France, with approximately three-quarters of the French population favoring nuclear power production, and a slightly lesser majority supporting the construction of new nuclear reactors in the near future. This widespread acceptance resonates with the French government's ambition to extend the operational lifespan of existing reactors and commission new ones. The competitive landscape for nuclear decommissioning in France is presently structured around prominent operators like EDF, CEA, and Orano, along with a collaboration of building and civil engineering groups, service groups, and specialized SMEs contributing to various project phases.

Notably, the involvement of smaller enterprises is less pronounced in the decommissioning segment compared to the wider nuclear industry, pointing to the dominance of larger, well-established entities that have the financial fortitude to engage in the extended time frames characteristic of such projects. Nuclear decommissioning in France, thus, offers a clear glimpse into a future-driven by meticulous planning, regulatory compliance, and a steady market demand. Driven by societal support, governmental initiatives.

Key Contributors in the French Nuclear Decommissioning Market

The French nuclear decommissioning industry involves various major players that span from operators of nuclear facilities to construction and engineering groups, service providers, and specialized small and medium-sized enterprises. Here we examine the pivotal roles played by several of these entities, crafting the landscape of nuclear dismantling in France.

Operators

• EDF (Électricité de France): As the primary operator of nuclear power plants in France, EDF not only produces energy but also leads the way in decommissioning efforts. Their subsidiary, Cyclife, focuses on the full spectrum of decommissioning services, from planning and project development to decontamination, dismantling, waste management, and site redevelopment.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives)**: This public government-funded research organization is pivotal in various areas of nuclear energy, including decommissioning. They bring a wealth of research knowledge and technical innovation to the nuclear dismantling sphere.
• Orano: Formerly known as Areva, Orano is a major international player in nuclear energy with a focus on nuclear fuel cycle products and services. Their expertise extends into the dismantling of nuclear installations, showcasing a global capability in waste management and decommissioning.

 Building and Civil Engineering Groups

• -Bouygues Constructio : This French industrial group excels in building and civil engineering, offering its robust construction expertise also in nuclear plant deconstruction and remediation projects.
• Eiffage: Recognized as one of Europe's leading construction and concessions companies, it employs its proficiency in infrastructure and energy to deliver critical decommissioning services.
• Vinci (Nuvia): The global player Vinci, through its subsidiary Nuvia, specializes in nuclear services including decommissioning. Their expertise ranges from the design and construction of facilities to their decontamination and dismantling.

 Service Groups

• Veolia (Veolia Nuclear Solutions): Veolia, through its subsidiary Veolia Nuclear Solutions, plays an integral role in facilitating nuclear cleanup and waste treatment. They offer advanced technological solutions for decontamination and decommissioning.
• Onet: As a provider of nuclear decontamination and facility management services, Onet is equipped to handle the intricate processes involved in dismantling nuclear installations.

Specialized SMEs or ETIs

• While numerous small and medium-sized enterprises contribute to this sector, they typically align with larger consortia due to

Informations

• Nombre de pages : 30 pages
• Format : Version digitale et PDF
• Dernière mise à jour : 18/12/2023

Sommaire et extraits

Liste des graphiques

• Nombre de réacteurs nucléaires en cours d'exploitation dans les principaux pays
• Nombre de réacteurs nucléaires à l'arrêt (définitivement) dans les principaux pays
• Nombre de réacteurs nucléaires en constructions dans les principaux pays
• Estimation de l'évolution de la taille du marché mondial du démantèlement nucléaire
• Répartition des principaux coûts du démantèlement d'un réacteur 900 MW
• Nombre de réacteurs nucléaires français par période de construction
• Répartition des réacteurs par puissance électrique de production
• Nombre de réacteurs nucléaires en fonction de leur âge
• Nombre de réacteurs à arrêter et à démanteler
• Trois scénarios de mix énergétique 2050 de RTE
• Vous personnellement, êtes-vous favorable ou opposé à la production d'énergie nucléaire en France ?
• Personnellement, êtes-vous favorable ou pas favorable à la construction de nouveaux réacteurs nucléaires en France dans les prochaines années ?
• Pour chacun des termes suivants, diriez-vous qu’il s’applique très bien, assez bien, assez mal ou très mal à l’image que vous vous faites de l’énergie nucléaire ?
• Taille du marché du démantèlement nucléaire sur la période 2020 - 2050
• Répartition du volume de déchets produits par le démantèlement d'un réacteur 1000 MW