With its renewed nuclear strategy, France is planning to build up to 14 nuclear reactors in an attempt to shore up the country’s aging nuclear fleet while also reducing the country’s carbon emissions. France is also planning to extend the lifespan of the existing 56 reactors. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. To acquire competent resources for this vast program will be a challenge.
In addition to renewables, the government regards nuclear as the established de-carbonization technology in the energy transition. Hence, France will continue to invest in nuclear to maximize the self-sufficiency of its energy mix, while paying attention to its safe use.
Finland and France have a similar kind of energy mix target for achieving carbon neutrality. While maintaining nuclear power as one of the base loads, developing and adopting effective renewable energy resources has become a common urgent task for both countries. In addition, the decommissioning of the existing reactors shall be taken into consideration after their lifetime.
Finland has been working on the above-mentioned challenges: its nuclear industry has accumulated experience in the use of renewable energy, decommissioning of old nuclear power plants as well as of a final repository of spent radioactive waste. There is a clear momentum for Finnish companies to seek cooperation with French stakeholders in many different aspects from R&D, concept design, system development, consensus making, and implementation.
Mr Philippe Stohr has offered to share his remarks on the subject. His impressive career in administration, research institutes and private companies has given him a thorough understanding of the French nuclear sector. He is currently a member of the executive team of CEA, the Atomic Energy Commission of France. With 21 000 employees and 5,6 billion euro annual budget, CEA is a key player in the French nuclear and alternative energies research and innovation financing.
Agenda
10:30 Opening words
- Mr Matti Anttonen, Ambassador to France
10:40 FinNuclear introduction
- Introduction of FinNuclear, Ms. Jekaterina Lavonen and 2023 program (WNE in Paris)
10:50 France Nuclear Industry
- Keynote speech from Mr Philippe Stohr, Energy Division Director at CEA:
- French plans for nuclear energy: new plants, extension of lifetime & innovation
- How France & Finland could cooperate as partners in nuclear energy
11:20 Experiences of Finnish French cooperation in France's nuclear energy industry
- Testimonial from a Finnish company established in France (TBC)
11:30 Q&A
11:45 Closing Remarks
If you are interested in knowing more about this promising market, tune in on 22 March, 2023 at 10:30 (EET Helsinki) to learn about topical Nuclear Industry’s key trends and business opportunities in France.
