France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market

France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market Analysis

The France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market is expected to register a CAGR of greater than 4% during the forecast period.

COVID-19 negatively impacted the market in 2020. Presently the market has reached pre-pandemic levels.

• Over the medium term, the increasing age of existing nuclear power plants and many power plants reaching retirement age in the country is expected to drive the market during the forecasted period.
• On the other hand, the high cost of decommissioning plants is the major restraint expected to hinder the market's growth during the forecasted period.
• Nevertheless, the French government's strategy of reducing the energy generated through nuclear energy and increasing the share of renewable energy is expected to create significant opportunities for the France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market.

France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market Trends

Commercial Power Reactor Expected to Dominate the Market

• Commercial nuclear power plants are the power plants deployed in the region to generate electricity and utilized in the national energy grid through which the generated electricity is transmitted and distributed to various sectors of the country. In France, the majority of nuclear power plants fall under the commercial reactor category.
• According to World Nuclear Association, 56 commercial nuclear reactors are functioning in France, distributed in 18 sites with a total generating capacity of 61370, MWe compared to 63130 MWe in 2019. At the same time, one reactor is under construction. Moreover, till December 2022, France has shut down 14 reactors with a total capacity of 5549 MWe.
• The total power produced by nuclear energy in France in 2021 was 554.8 Terawatt-hours (TWh); even though the share of nuclear energy in total energy production has been decreasing in recent years, nuclear power plants still account for around 70 percent of the entire power generation in the country.
• As of 2021, Electricite de France SA (EDF) has announced that nine reactors have been shut down and are being decommissioned: Brennilis, Bugey 1, Chinon A1, A2 and A3, Chooz A, Creys-Malville, Saint-Laurent A1 and A2. The fuel removal is expected to be completed by the summer of 2023, and the complete decommissioning is expected to be completed by 2040 at the earliest.
• Hence, owing to the above points, the commercial power rector segment will likely dominate the France nuclear power reactor decommissioning market during the forecast period.

Increasing Renewable Energy Expected to Drive the Market

• France's renewable power sector is likely to thrive more in the near future, mainly due to the government programs for an energy transition to cleaner power generation sources and the continuous improvement in renewable technology. The country has set many climate goals in the recent picture to achieve carbon neutrality.
• In 2020, France presented its 2030 National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) to the European Commission. The country aims for 33% renewable energy in its energy mix in 2030. This translates into 40% renewables in the power sector - wind energy could deliver half of this. The Plan outlines ambitious yet realistic targets for the energy transition.
• The power generation industry in the country is undergoing a significant transition, shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, renewable power installed in France increased from 42.79 GW in 2017 to more than 59 GW in 2021, recording massive growth.
• In December 2022, Neoen announced that they had been allocated contracts worth 180 MW in solar and wind projects in France. The projects were awarded in the technology-neutral call for tenders held by the French government as part of the energy regulation commission's (CRE) multi-year energy plan (PPE2). The projects were awarded in the latest technology-neutral call for tenders held by the French government as part of the energy regulation commission's (CRE) multi-year energy plan (PPE2).
• Hence, owing to the above points, increasing renewable energy is expected to drive the France nuclear power reactor decommissioning market during the forecast period.

France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Industry Overview

The France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market is moderately consolidated. Some of the key players in this market (not in a particular order) include Veolia Environnement SA, Orano Group, Electricite de France SA (EDF), Assystem SA, and French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market Leaders

France Nuclear Power Reactor Decommissioning Market News

• September 2022: The Energy ministry of France announced its plans to draft legislation to streamline bureaucracy around nuclear power projects and aims to start construction of its first next-generation EPR2 reactor before May 2027. The ministry further confirmed its plans to add six more nuclear reactors in the country.
• May 2022: France nuclear safety regulator, the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN), announced that they are reviewing the 300 MW reactor called Chooz A after review, the company will begin the complete dismantling of the residual equipment of the caves and the effluent treatment station, the demolition of the buildings and the redevelopment of the site.