European affairs

Nuclear energy is the leading source of low-carbon electricity in the European Union (EU). It contributes to the EU's objectives in terms of CO2 reduction, energy security, competitiveness and economic growth. A strategic player in Europe’s nuclear industry, advanced technologies at all stages of the fuel cycle, Orano plays a key role in the implementation of EU policies.

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Strategy - Supporting the EU energy and climate strategy

Nuclear power, a strategic asset toward reducing EU CO2 emissions

The European Union (EU) has committed to reducing CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030. In the long run, according to the European Commission, the EU should attain climate-neutrality to stand as a global leader in the fight against climate change. In this context, the European Commission estimates that an important nuclear power share will constitute, together with renewables, the backbone of a carbon-free European power system. With 118 GWe installed capacity, nuclear power is in 2019 the largest source of electricity in Europe and accounts for half of the low-carbon electricity produced in the EU.

Nuclear power, a pillar of European energy security

The availability and geographical diversity of uranium resources guarantee secure supply to the EU. Moreover, the price of electricity is little affected by fluctuations in the price of nuclear fuel, in contrast to oil and gas. All these assets make nuclear energy a particularly reliable source of electricity and a pillar of European energy security.
Orano contributes to the European Union’s security of supply through mining activities and its uranium conversion and enrichment plants located in Europe.

Safely and sustainably managing used nuclear fuel

Safely and sustainably managing spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste is a priority for Europe. Each Member State has ultimate responsibility for the radioactive waste produced on its soil and must take the necessary measures to ensure the safe and sustainable management of used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.
With reference facilities for the treatment and recycling of used fuel, Orano offers its European customers competitive industrial solutions for the sustainable management of their radioactive waste.

Orano, partner to EU states in their decommissioning projects

Orano also plays an essential part in Europe in the decommissioning of nuclear installations at the end of their cycle. The experts of the Orano Dismantling and Services unit intervene on several European sites.

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Maintaining industrial leadership and innovative technologies in Europe

Nuclear R&D and innovation at the cutting edge of technology

From 2014 to 2020, the European Union dedicated approximately €80 billion to funding research and innovation in all sectors. About one-third of this funding has been devoted to the fight against climate change. Orano is part of these research efforts and participates, through its own research and innovation strategy, in European technological leadership.

The Euratom programme
Historically, the European nuclear R&D programme, Euratom, has made it possible to fund advanced nuclear research infrastructures and innovative projects in all sectors of the nuclear industry. Today, it is dedicated primarily to promoting research on nuclear safety, radiation protection and radioactive waste management.

The European Union, taking up the key challenges in nuclear medicine

From medical imaging to diagnostics, cancer treatment and beyond, nuclear power is a resource very widely used in the health sector. One out of every two people will make use of nuclear medicine in their lives. This is why the European Union joins international efforts to ensure security of supply of radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine.
Orano is an engaged player in the upstream supply chain, offering its enrichment capabilities for research reactors, producers of radioisotopes. Through its subsidiary Orano Med, Orano is also developing new therapies to fight cancer.

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Competitiveness - Ensuring a competitive European economy

A major industrial sector

Nuclear energy represents about 250,000 direct jobs and 800,000 in total in Europe.In 2019, the nuclear industry supports more than 1.1 million jobs and contributes to more than 507 billion € to the EU GDP. New projects, in particular the construction of reactors, generate many jobs. As a benchmark, the operation of a nuclear reactor provides qualified jobs to two generations (over 60 years).

A competitive source of energy

Its low and stable production costs enable nuclear energy to offer electricity at competitive prices to European industrialists and consumers.

The production costs of different types of energy

Nuclear, with long-term operation	24 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate
Nuclear	71 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate
Carbon	71 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate
Gas	89 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate
Terrestrial wind	89 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate
Solar	116 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate
Offshore wind	143 €/MWh at a 7 % discount rate

Source : Projected Costs of Generating Electricity, IEA and OECD/NEA, 2015

Nuclear reactors in the EU

37414 Member States operate nuclear plants
130 reactors (in 2018)
4 reactors being built (sources: PRIS, PINC 2017)
24 new reactors planned (sources: PRIS, PINC 2017)

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Contribution to the consultation on the strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions
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Téléphone: +32 (0)2 234 64 10 (standard)

E-mail: g-orn-euoffice@orano.group

Twitter : @Orano_euoffice

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