Cooperation agreement signed between Electricite de France and Russian Rosenergoatom

Electricite de France (EDF) and Rosenergoatom Concern signed a cooperation agreement.

The document was signed on 21 April, 2016 at the meeting of the WANO Governing Board held in St. Petersburg.

The parties are willing to develop the cooperation in such areas as NPP operation, modernization and life extension, as well as decommissioning and radiation waste management, operation research and development.

Mr. Alexander Shutikov, First Deputy Director General of Rosenergoatom Concern noted: ‘This agreement signing is the continuation of more than 20-year win-win cooperation between two major nuclear operators that understand the great potential in using the accumulated experience in joint project implementation’.

Mr. Shutikov also pointed out that the cooperation is aimed at two main goals:  safety and efficiency of NPP unit operation.

Mr. Dominique Minière, EDF Executive Director in charge of NPP and TPP operation, in his turn said that the agreement signing is the first important stage to be followed by the implementation of the annual cooperation program by the parties.

‘Our cooperation with Rosenergoatom Concern started in 1994 has wonderfully ‘come into bloom’. From separate nuclear safety issues we have proceeded to operation, maintenance and repair, new construction, and Gen 4 reactors (both Russia and France have significant gaps in this area),’ noted Mr. Dominique Minière.

Mr. Minière also expressed confidence that the cooperation will be extremely useful for both parties.

Rosenergoatom Concern ranks second after EDF in NPP installed capacity. At present, EDF-Rosenergoatom interaction program covers practically all areas of power unit operation: from human resources to efficient procurement, from engineering and operation support to nuclear risks and insurance.

Background:

The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) unites all companies in the world that operate NPPs. WANO’s activities are aimed at joining the efforts of the operators to increase the safety and security of the nuclear power plants all over the world through information and contact exchange among WANO member-companies. The Association basic principles include the independence of the members, equal partnership, mutual assistance and nondisclosure of the shared information.

Rosenergoatom Conertn (a subsidiary of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation) comprises all 10 nuclear power plants of Russia and also enterprises supporting the activities of generating companies. In general, 10 nuclear power plants of Russia have 35 power units in operation. At present, the NPPs of Rosenergoatom Concern generate approximately 18.6% of all electricity in Russia.