An industry of excellence
With the Penly, Paluel and Flamanville power plants, Normandy is home to 20% of the country's basic nuclear facilities.
It already concentrates 11% of French nuclear production and even more tomorrow: while the Flamanville EPR enters service in 2024, the Penly site has been selected to host the two EPR 2 (New Generation Pressurized Water Reactors) of France's nuclear revival plan.
Building nuclear-powered submarines, power generation, waste reprocessing, medicine... From EDF to Orano, via Le Ganil (Grand Accélérateur National d'Ions Lourds) and the many subcontractors required for its smooth operation, the nuclear industry today represents nearly 28,000 people in the Normandy region. On the production side, with 8 nuclear units in service today, Normandy represents 12 to 14% of the French electricity mix, for 4% of electricity consumption. A well-mastered low-carbon energy that's set to gain even more momentum in the coming years.
Normandy has recognized know-how and expertise, the fruit of many years of experience in research, training and industry.
At a time of energy transition, when nuclear power is regaining its place as a low-carbon technology, the economic weight of the industry in Normandy exceeds one billion Euros per year.
Nuclear power in Normandy
4th electricity-producing region in France
20% of French nuclear facilities
95% decarbonized energy
28,000 jobs in 2024
Construction of2 new EPR2
12,700 new hires planned over 10 years
Normandy, nuclear power and its projects
Nuclear news is unprecedented in the Normandy region, and represents both an opportunity and a huge challenge for the industry and the local economic fabric.
Among several projects in the region, two will be in particular demand from 2024. First at stake, that, of course, of the EPR2: the construction of new reactors, the first two of which will be hosted at Penly, in the Dieppe region. The town is the serial lead for these new EPRs (or European Pressurized Reactors) as part of the national program, and expects peak recruitment on this site of almost 10,000 jobs.
The other issue is that of Grand Carénage: understanding the work required to extend the life of the existing fleet. These heavy maintenance operations take place every 10 years for each unit (corresponding to one nuclear reactor), with peak activity at 3,000 people per worksite. In Normandy, they will start with the Paluel site, in Seine-Maritime, for phase 2, in order to pass the 40-year mark and reach 50 years of operation.
The recruitments required for the various projects will be spread over 10 years, starting in 2024, for a total, of almost 12,700 recruitments!