Progress on Georges Besse 2 plant extension project
Work is progressing apace on the extension of the Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant. A few days ago, Orano's management took the opportunity to welcome a delegation from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to the Tricastin site. In March, the EIB had granted a €400 million loan for this project.
A wholly European technology
Launched by Orano in October 2023, the Georges Besse 2 expansion project is aimed at strengthening Western energy independence and is fully aligned with the European “RePowerEU” program. The project will contribute to reducing the European Union’s reliance on imported Russian fuels and enriched uranium.
Furthermore, the project represents a major investment of more than €1.7 billion and involves nearly 180 companies, mainly French, including a large proportion of regional companies.
Numbers aside, with this undertaking Orano is building the means to help ensure Western energy sovereignty and is involving a whole industrial network of mid-tier companies in this project.
The extension of the Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant is a strategic project, which in time will allow power to be supplied to nearly 60% of EU households. This increase in production capacity represents a decisive element supporting European and Western energy sovereignty, significantly enhancing the security of supply of low-carbon energy
Nicolas Maes, Orano CEO
The Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant extension project in figures
- 30,000 m3 of reinforced concrete
- Over 70% of the concrete poured
- 1,400 metric tons of framework
- 60 km of pipework
- 800 km of cables
- An investment of more than €1.7 billion
- Approximately 180 companies, mainly French
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is investing in the project
Just one year after the first stone was laid, on Thursday 20 November, Orano's management welcomed a delegation from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to the Tricastin site (Drôme/Vaucluse, southern France) to see the significant progress made on the extension of the Georges Besse 2 enrichment plant.
This visit follows the €400 million in financing granted by the EIB on 10 March 2025 to support this major industrial project. A strong signal when it comes to energy strategy.
The project is progressing under the best conditions, within budget and on schedule
It is almost one year now since we laid the first brick in this monumental project. Today, we meet again to take stock of the progress made so far. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our teams and our partners, whose commitment is vital to the success of this project. I would also like to thank our clients and shareholders for their faith and confidence. Thanks to them, we are moving forward towards greater energy independence for the West
François Lurin, Senior Executive Vice President of the Chemistry and Enrichment BU
Project timeline overview
The expansion of the Georges Besse 2 plant involves the construction of four new uranium enrichment modules, which will complement the fourteen modules already in service. The new units will be brought online progressively from 2028, and will be fully commissioned by 2030. With this expanded capacity, the uranium produced will allow low-carbon energy to be supplied to the equivalent of 120 million households each year.