Universal Registration Document 2020

Management of large projects

Framatome’s participation in the construction of new-build nuclear reactor projects spans across design, through procurement and supply, and onto commissioning. With recognised expertise in the management of complex projects, its teams are tasked with delivering to the most stringent security standards and fulfil the requirements of its customers. In the case of new-build construction projects, the company proposes solutions for the nuclear island scope. Framatome is actively involved with EDF in the construction, commissioning and maintenance of 5 EPR reactors worldwide: in France (Flamanville 3), in China (Taishan 1&2), and in the United Kingdom (Hinkley Point C, reactor 1 and 2).

In 2017, EDF and Framatome created Edvance, a joint engineering subsidiary for the construction of new nuclear power plants in France and in the world (see section 1.2.1 “Organisation of the Company”).

1.4.1.1.4.2 Key achievements by Framatome in 2020

2020 was impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Framatome remained highly mobilised and maintained a good level of activity, although there was a slowdown in component and fuel factories.

• In January, Framatome entered into a contract with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for the supply of ATRIUM 11 fuel for the Browns Ferry power plant, fuel handling equipment upgrades for all TVA reactors, and the replacement of steam generators at the Watts Bar nuclear power plant⁽¹⁾.
• In February, TVO, which operates the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant in Finland, entrusted Framatome with maintenance work in the field of engineering, instrumentation and control, and non-destructive testing services over a period of several years during unit shutdowns⁽²⁾. Also in February, Framatome and its partner Kinectrics launched a joint venture tasked with supplying and operating the systems to be installed in Bruce Power’s nuclear reactors in Canada to produce Lutetium-177, a medical isotope used in cancer treatment⁽³⁾.
• In April, Framatome was awarded a contract for the deliver of the reactor protection system for units 1 and 2 of the Kursk II nuclear power plant in Russia; this includes planning, design, manufacture, and implementing the system⁽⁴⁾. This contract is part of the development of the partnership with Rosatom Automated Control System (RASU). Also in April, Framatome signed a long-term service contract with Chinese company TNPJVC (Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company Limited) with a view to support operation of Taishan’s two EPR reactors for a period of eight years⁽⁵⁾. This contract covers nuclear plant outage and maintenance work, as well as the supply of spare parts and engineering services.
• In July, Framatome entered into a partnership with Site flow, a French start-up that provides cloud-based service management software to digitize the documentation used for maintenance operations in nuclear power plants⁽⁶⁾.
• In August, Framatome signed a contract with Hinkley Point C for the supply of conventional field instrumentation for the two EPR reactors currently being built inSomerset, UK⁽⁷⁾. Approximately 10,000 instruments will monitor and measure temperature, flow, pressure, and level under all operating conditions.
• In September, Framatome signed an exclusive partnership with ADAGOS to provide the nuclear industry with artificial intelligence technology⁽⁸⁾. This software, which requires less computational and data resources compared to previous generations, will enable Framatome to provide its clients with new digital solutions. Also in September, Framatome joined EDF, the CEA, and six other organisations from the academic world and the French nuclear industry to pool research and development in the field of nuclear reactor digital twins⁽⁹⁾. These digital twins will be used as simulators to train the new generation of operators.
• In mid-October, Framatome launched the “Framatome Défense” brand to promote its business supporting French national defence, asserting its commitment and reinforcing its contribution to the sector⁽¹⁰⁾. Framatome has contributed to the production of components for the French Navy, in particular for its submarine and Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier programmes, and more recently to major programmes such as the Barracuda.

1.4.1.1.4.3 Nuclear facilities and safety

Basic nuclear facilities (BNF)

There are two basic nuclear facilities (BNF) at the Framatome site of Romans,
BNF no. 63 (fuel elements fabrication for research reactors – CERCA) and
BNF no. 98 (fabrication of fuel assemblies for nuclear power reactors).

2020 results on nuclear safety ⁽¹¹⁾

As in 2019, no major safety or radiation protection event was recorded at Framatome’s Romans-sur-Isère site. In 2020, Framatome’s Romans-sur-Isère site declared 12 significant safety events (ESS) classified at INES 0, 3 ESS at INES 1 and none at INES 2. The number of events declared is decreasing compared with 2019.
No event declared in respect of the year 2020 had any impact on workers, the general public or the environment. The 2020 detailed results on nuclear safety are published in the annual report drawn up by the General Inspector for Nuclear Safety and in the TSN report of the Framatome site of Romans-sur-Isère and are available on the website www.framatome.com.

Dedicated assets

Dedicated assets have been constituted to cover long-term nuclear commitments
(see section 6.1 EDF’s “Consolidated financial statements at 31 December 2020”,
note 17.1 “Other provisions for decommissioning”).