Industry Intelligence #2: Navigating the European Nuclear Terrain
Rayane Echikr
CI Analyst @EIT Manufacturing | Competitive Intelligence, Green Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Technology Watch
Greetings everyone,
Welcome to the second edition of Industry Intelligence, your go-to newsletter for staying up-to-date with the latest trends in energy and technology. The main goal is to shed light on ways to achieve industrial sustainability and decarbonisation within European?#Manufacturing.
In this edition, we'll be diving into the fascinating realm of nuclear. By exploring miscellaneous use cases, projects, and policies at a European level, I aim to provide valuable insights and actionable knowledge.
If this topic resonates with you, I invite you to join me in exploring the depths of this subject together! Let's embark on this journey towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Technology use-cases:
Advancing France's nuclear industry: EDF's EPR2 reactor construction ???
?? EDF, the state-owned power company, has submitted a proposal for the construction of the new EPR2 reactor programme in France, intending to build three pairs of EPR2 reactors at different locations, including Penly, France. EDF stated that the programme for three pairs of EPR2 reactors will generate 30,000?#jobs?annually during the construction phase and over 10,000 jobs during the operating phase.?
France & India's joint nuclear reactor initiative: New construction plans???
?? France and India are set to launch a collaborative programme focused on small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors to advance their commitment to clean #energy solutions. Additionally, they will continue to cooperate on the Jules Horowitz Research Reactor (JHR), which is currently under construction in southern France.
Poland's government greenlights nuclear power plant construction! ??
?? The Ministry of Climate and Environment has granted a decision-in-principle for the?#construction?of a nuclear power plant in Pomerania, marking a significant milestone for Polskie Elektrownie J?drowe (PEJ). In line with the commitment to reducing reliance on coal, Poland unveiled an ambitious roadmap in September 2021. By 2040, it aims to build 6 large pressurised water reactors, boasting a combined installed capacity of 6-9 GWe.
??? Construction of a new Slovenian nuclear power plant: €11Billion
?? The #construction of a second unit at the Kr?ko nuclear power station in Slovenia is projected to cost €11B. Building the most powerful unit under consideration, a 1,600 MW unit, would amount to approximately €7,000 per kilowatt. This estimate aligns with the pricing of Europe's latest nuclear power station, the 1,600 MW Olkiluoto 3 in Finland.
Project
领英推荐
Europe′s largest nuclear reactor begins electricity production in Finland ?
?? A few months ago, the 1.6GW Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) #nuclear reactor has successfully commenced electricity production. This achievement comes after 18 years of dedication and hard work, despite facing challenges that led to a €8 B cost over its original €3 B budget. OL3 stands as the largest single nuclear reactor in Europe, owned by Teollisuuden Voima (TVO).
Policy
Uranium dependence concerns emerge following Niger Coup ?
?? The recent military coup in Niger has brought attention to Europe's reliance on uranium sourced from the West African nation to power its nuclear plants. One major player in this domain is France's nuclear fuel firm, Orano, which operates a uranium mine in the north of Niger with a workforce of around 900, mainly consisting of Nigerien employees. Despite the political upheaval, Orano stated that uranium supply deliveries remain unaffected for now.
Nuclear capacity in the world and in the EU
Nuclear capacity worldwide ??
In 2021, nuclear power plants generated a total of 2,653 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, marking an increase from the 2,553 TWh produced in 2020. This underlines the steady growth of nuclear energy's contribution to the global energy landscape. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), nuclear power accounted for around 10% of the world's total electricity generation in 2020.
Fast forward to May 2023, and the World Nuclear Association's latest report reveals a thriving nuclear energy sector. Currently, there are approximately 440 operational nuclear reactors spread across 33 countries, boasting a collective capacity of 390 gigawatts of electricity (390GWe).
The momentum continues, with 60 more power reactors currently under construction in 15 different countries, including notable players like China, India, and Russia. This underscores the ongoing global interest and investment in nuclear energy as a reliable and sustainable power source.
European nuclear capacity ??
By May 2023, Europe had a combined total of 168 operational nuclear power reactors. These reactors possess an installed electric net capacity of 148,729 MWe, with six of them located in the Asian part of the Russian Federation. Additionally, there are currently 10 units under construction in five countries, with a combined electric net capacity of 11,599 MWe.
?? In 2022, the?#energy?mix to produce electricity in the EU consisted of 42% fossil fuels and biomass, 22% from nuclear, 22% from wind and solar, and 10% from hydro. The 100 nuclear power reactors (97 GWe) across 12 member states generate 25% of EU electricity. France leads, producing over half of the EU's nuclear power. The 67 units operating in five non-EU countries (UK, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Switzerland) contribute to 30%+ of non-EU European electricity. Here is the report from the World Nuclear Association:?https://shorturl.at/fxB15
?? According to the Nuclear Illustrative Programme, the?#EU?is expected to experience a decline in nuclear capacity until 2025, followed by stabilization at a range of 95-105 GWe until 2050. However, maintaining this scenario would necessitate significant investments. Estimates indicate that €45 to €50 billion would be required for long-term operation programs, while an additional €350 to €450 billion would need to be allocated for new reactors by 2050. These figures also include expenses related to decommissioning and waste management.
??#Nuclear?energy has the smallest environmental impact over the course of its lifespan compared to any other energy source, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe′s 2022 report. In addition, the EU′s Joint Research Centre report 2021 showed that nuclear energy doesn′t cause more harm to human health or to the environment than any other sustainable form of electricity generation.
Chercheur associé au laboratoire CeReGe (UR 13564) axe Intelligence Stratégique Internationale chez Université de Poitiers
1 年Merci Rayane Echikr, ce qui m'a permis de conduire une analyse complémentaire. sur la Slovaquie. https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/lafonthierry_second-unit-of-slovenias-kr%C5%A1ko-nuclear-power-activity-7095027598128238592-o-eA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
HVAC & MARINE Engineer
1 年Awesome job Rayane Echikr
Researcher at the NeuroRehab laboratory
1 年I think it is a paradox that the research suggests the nuclear energy has the smallest environmental impact and does not cause more harm to the human health than the current level, but France will reduce its share of nuclear power use despite investing in building reactors.