May-June 2018 NPJ

Nuclear Plant Journal, May-June 2018 NuclearPlantJournal.com 21 ie SMRs. We support the French SMR development activity with EDF, CEA, and Naval Group, and we have also contributed to the offer presented by EDF Energy to the UK government. But of course, our very strong focus is now on the first commissioning of the EPRs, in China, Finland and France. We need to guarantee predictability for today. This will be also a priority for Gen 4 reactors to come. 6. What do you mean by predictability? To deliver on cost, on quality and on time. This has to be our industrial scheme, like you would do it regarding a gas or coal-fired plant. Nevertheless, the commissioning of the various EPRs is progressing well now. The fuel loading of Taishan 1 in April 2018 was an extremely important milestone. We will turn these projects into industrial successes by taking all the lessons learned for future projects. We’ll certainly continue to innovate, and at the same time, put strong focus on this predictability and providing clear industrial standards in all our activities. 7. Framatome wants to strengthen its international footprint. How are you organizing your engineering activities to accompany this development? Framatome has always been an international company with a strong regional footprint in strategic markets like France, the US and China as well as historically in Germany where we pushed for more export business already since the early 2000s. Developing our market presence through a differentiating offer and export partnerships is key to accelerate our international development. Framatome specializes in the Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS). We work on new build projects and relevant engineering with Edvance, a joint venture between EDF and Framatome. Edvance is an engineering company for the integration of the nuclear island. This company, owned 80% by EDF and 20% by Framatome, is staffed with people that come from both companies. That’s the engineering setup for new nuclear projects we have for the future, which will help us achieve our international development targets. In parallel, Framatome is also considering strategic mergers and acquisitions to reinforce its local footprint in countries where the company operates. 8. Speaking about international development, what is and will be Framatome’s role in China? Framatome has a historical presence in China and our teams are currently working on Taishan 1 and Taishan 2 EPR reactor projects to provide the nuclear island. Our strategy is also, when we don’t sell the “full package”, to sell specific technology bricks. In China, for example, we are involved in Tianwan 3 and 4, which are VVER reactor designs for China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and we supply the safety instrumentation & control systems. Besides, in January 2018, Framatome signed a protocol for the development of a global strategic cooperation with CNNC. This protocol is to set up basis for future strategy and long-term cooperation between the two companies. The success of the Taishan program paves the way to new opportunities in China. Framatome is mobilizing its resources to meet the country’s fundamental needs for a safe, reliable and carbon free electricity. 9. What lessons did you learn in Daya Bay which you are applying to your other plants which you are constructing in China now? Framatome and China share a long common history which started over 30 years ago with the construction of the Daya Bay nuclear power plant. Thanks to this project, we learned that when we have a well-designed, frozen design with an industrial approach, and we cooperate with a utility like EDF, we can be successful. The integration of Framatome within EDF combined with our ambition to industrialize even further new constructions projects like the EPR is a way to put on the table important ingredients, which I believe are ingredients for success. 10. What are the lessons learned from Olkiluoto? It’s an evolutionary PWR but nevertheless a new Gen 3 plus reactor. If we look at history, it has always been complex. Now all the teams involved are mobilized to turn the project into success. And when the colleagues have finished their job on project, they will join us at Framatome and strengthen our industrial experience and use what I call industrial methodology. We have now also a generation of engineers that commissions nuclear power plants. Again, I believe this industrial phase is now just ahead of us. It’s up to us to turn it now into a success. Framatome is taking a fresh start, we know that, with excellent assets and a great international footprint, with room for further growth, and we are trying now to reach commercial excellence. I believe Framatome is on the right path, with a 2017 order intake of more than 5.5 billion. The challenges are ahead of us and we will face them with our teams to build the future of Framatome. Contact: Framatome Press Department, email: press@framatome.com . Framatome’s TELEPERM XS instrumentation & control system. © Framatome