France, a global trailblazer in nuclear energy, will share its technological and institutional breakthroughs at the Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) 2024. The forum, hosted by the Philippines, will take place from 13-15 November 2024 in Quezon City.
Under the theme “Nuclear Energy Solutions for Sustainable Accelerated Energy Transition for a Secure and Empowered Future”, PINSCF 2024 will feature five countries with established nuclear energy industries: the United States, France, Canada, South Korea, and Japan. These countries will lead discussions on their best practices, management frameworks, and latest innovations that contribute to the success of their respective nuclear energy programs.
On the second day of the forum, the French delegation will highlight its extensive experience in nuclear power that led to a development of a robust nuclear sector. Representatives from Électricité de France, the French electric utility company that operates the country’s nuclear power plants, will be among the key presenters, sharing their technological researches and advancements that contribute to its efficient nuclear energy cycle.
France has played a significant role globally in advancing nuclear power technology since the 1950s. The country initiated several technological and institutional breakthroughs and consistently leads the nuclear energy sector. Currently, it has 56 nuclear power reactors with a total net capacity of 61 370 MW(e) accounting for more than 60 percent of the total French electricity generation. In 2023, nuclear energy supplied 320 400 GWh of electricity to France. France boasts the largest share of nuclear energy in its electricity production and ranks second worldwide in terms of the number of reactors and total net capacity.
The country’s nuclear energy systems are renowned for their efficiency due to its stringent regulations and standardized approach in dealing with the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle, which encompasses spent fuel and waste management, as well as decommissioning. France is the world’s leader in reprocessing and recycling spent fuel having built the first recycling plant in the world, Orano la Hague, built in 1966. This facility currently offers services for recycling radioactive materials from reactors worldwide. Recycling spent fuel not only minimizes waste volume but also strengthens France’s energy independence. The country benefits from recycled fuel, known as MOX (Mixed Oxides), which can be reused in nuclear power plants to produce more electricity, creating a closed-loop nuclear fuel cycle.
The country had made significant investments in nuclear power to contribute to the goal of global net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The development of small-scale nuclear reactors with improved waste management was included in the €8 billion allotment for the energy sector as part of the France 2030 investment plan. France is also the first recipient of green bonds for nuclear power in the European Union, alongside Finland. The country is committed to expanding its nuclear energy capacity, aiming to construct fourteen (14) new nuclear reactors by 2050.
Building on its comparative advantage, France continuously improves the designs of its reactors. The third-generation pressurized water reactor called European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) was developed in the 2000s. The EPR is designed with more efficient fuel consumption compared to 1,300-MW reactors and produces reduced amounts of radioactive waste. The EPR2 project aims to optimize the EPR design by building on its best features and incorporating improvements drawn from its operating experiences.
France intends to imprint on the nuclear renaissance through its cutting-edge explorations. Future deployments of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) integrated with cogeneration features of hydrogen production, district heating, and water desalination are in the conception phase. Meanwhile, preparations are currently taking place for the construction of Cigéo, France’s planned deep geological repository for nuclear radiological waste, set to operate for 120 years. Currently, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is being constructed in France. ITER is a research project conducted by several countries in partnership with the European Union that seeks to utilize fusion, the power behind sun and stars, instead of fission, for energy generation.
“France's prominence in the global nuclear energy industry sets an example on how continuous innovation, methodical nuclear energy cycle, and calculated risks brought the country close to its goal of energy independence. As the Philippines strengthens its energy security, it is worth considering to venture on the path outlined by France’s nuclear energy industry. We appreciate France’s participation in this forum to enhance the growing interest in nuclear energy in the country,” said the Department of Energy.
With the initial target capacity of 1200 MW of nuclear energy in its power mix by 2032, the Philippines recognizes the vital role of international cooperation in nuclear energy development. The PINSCF 2024 provides a platform for steadfast partners in the energy sector to engage with key decision-makers, supply chain operators, and nuclear energy experts from France fostering a global perspective and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Registration for the forum is open through the official website: www.nuclearforumph.com. For more information, participants may contact the Nuclear Energy Program Secretariat through email address nepiac.secretariat@gmail.com or reach out to doe.media@doe.gov.ph. For media inquiries. ###