The Georges Besse II plant will continue to operate while new centrifuge cascades are being installed and gradually brought on-line to supplement its production output, which is set to reach full capacity in 2016
- By Linton Levy -
AREVA has announced the rotation of the first centrifuge cascade of its Georges Besse II uranium enrichment facility. This key milestone was reached in the presence of teams from SET (the facility operator), SGN (the lead contractor) and ETC (the centrifuge supplier). François-Xavier Rouxel, Executive VP of AREVA’s Enrichment Business Unit, said, “This success confirms that the Georges Besse II project is on target and will allow AREVA to strengthen its position as a leading figure on the global enrichment market, for which it provides nearly a quarter of all services.”
The Georges Besse II plant will continue to operate while new centrifuge cascades are being installed and gradually brought on-line to supplement its production output, which is set to reach full capacity in 2016.
This is a concrete example of AREVA’s ability to successfully carry out major projects that confirm France as a world leader for nuclear facilities and skills. At around €3 billion, the Georges Besse II project represents one of the biggest industrial investments of the past decade in France.
Built on the Tricastin nuclear site in Southern France, construction of the plant began three years ago, and when complete will comprise two enrichment units. Its modular design will enable the facility to increase production, reaching 7.5 million separative work units (SWU) per year as of 2016, two years earlier than initially scheduled.
All over the world, AREVA provides its customers with solutions for carbon-free power generation and electricity transmission. With its knowledge and expertise in these fields, the group has a leading role to play in meeting the world’s energy needs.
Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA's unique integrated offering covers every stage of the fuel cycle, reactor design and construction, and related services.
In addition, the group is developing a portfolio of operations in renewable energies. AREVA is also a world leader in electricity transmission and distribution and offers its customers a complete range of solutions for greater grid stability and energy efficiency.
Sustainable development is a core component of the group’s industrial strategy. Its 75,000 employees work every day to make AREVA a responsible industrial player that is helping to supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.