French nuclear supply chain enhancing capacity

Orano has opened a new facility in Pierrelatte, southern France, for its engineering teams, while EDF subsidiary Arabelle Solutions plans a factory in Chalon-sur-Saône, eastern France.

Orano Projects, a division of Orano, unveiled the new building on Friday, attended by state officials, local representatives, regional stakeholders, industry partners, and staff.

"This event signifies a crucial step in a major modernization initiative for the Pierrelatte site that began in September 2024," Orano stated. "This initiative includes creating a new building, fully renovating a second one, and upgrading a third by 2027, resulting in a completely modernized engineering platform. The workforce capacity has been increased from 300 to 600 employees."

Since 1986, Orano's engineering department in Pierrelatte has operated on a revamped site. Spanning over 5,600 square meters, it provides a functional workspace with open-plan areas that enhance team collaboration, improve working conditions, and meet accessibility standards.

Orano indicated that the 'Le Gardon' building represents the company's strong local connections. The EUR7 million (USD8.2 million) project, executed between 2024 and early 2026, was awarded to local firms, boosting the area's economic activity.

"Safety was our top concern during construction, which was completed without any incidents," said Denis Lyonnet, Director of Orano's Southeast Engineering division. "We chose to build sustainably, integrating solutions to minimize our environmental impact, such as photovoltaic panels, eco-friendly mobility options, efficient energy management, a permeable parking lot, and a rainwater harvesting system. Designed by a local architect and constructed by local companies, this project, developed alongside our employees, is firmly rooted in the community and supports a rapidly expanding engineering division."

Guillaume Dureau, Director of Engineering, Innovation, R&D and New Business Activities at Orano Group, remarked, "I am proud to open this new facility in Pierrelatte today. It brings together teams vital to the Group's major initiatives. To tackle our challenges and support our growth, we plan to hire 600 new engineers in France by 2026."

The Pierrelatte site is part of a wider real estate investment scheme by Orano to back the significant growth of its engineering activities, associated with the revitalization of the nuclear sector. This effort is essential for executing strategic projects like expanding the Georges Besse II enrichment plant and modernizing back-end fuel cycle plants as part of the 'Future Back-Cycle' program. This initiative will see an unprecedented influx of talent, aiming to recruit 500 engineers and technicians annually, effectively doubling the engineering workforce by 2030.

New heat exchanger factory

EDF has revealed plans for an investment of nearly EUR100 million by its subsidiary Arabelle Solutions to establish a 20,000-square-meter factory in Chalon-sur-Saône. This factory is set to produce heat exchangers for the upcoming construction of six EPR2 reactors, plus eight potential EPR2 reactors, in France, and for new projects abroad. By 2030, this investment will create around 160 local jobs.

The facility will produce essential equipment to enhance heat exchange in the turbine hall of nuclear power plants, including moisture separator reheaters and high- and low-pressure heaters. Manufacturing of the first equipment is scheduled to begin in 2030. The Chalon-sur-Saône factory will have the capacity to supply all the necessary equipment for a nuclear power plant each year.

This project is part of Arabelle Solutions' investment strategy and builds on previous investments announced in January for the Belfort site in eastern France. These investments will support the equipment needs of future EPR2 nuclear plants through a domestic production line. Arabelle Solutions aims to supply the complete turbine hall equipment for nuclear facilities.

"This investment is a significant milestone for the EDF Group and the revival of nuclear energy," stated EDF CEO Bernard Fontana. "It enhances the Group's industrial capabilities for deploying six EPR2 reactors and eight potential EPR2 reactors in France, as well as for international projects. In Chalon-sur-Saône, Arabelle Solutions is developing crucial skills and production capabilities for key turbine hall equipment. This new factory fosters an integrated value chain, vital for providing competitive, secure, and low-carbon electricity for France and Europe."

In February 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron declared it was time for a nuclear revival in France, advocating for the extension of all existing reactor operations without compromising safety, and announcing a proposed program for six new EPR2 reactors, with an option for an additional eight. The first three pairs of EPR2 reactors are proposed for construction at Penly, Gravelines, and Bugey sites, with construction expected to start in 2027.