Facilities play key role in waste management and the nuclear fuel cycle
The France-based Orano group has signed a multi-year contract with the state’s Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) worth approximately €100m ($114m) for the operation of two key facilities at CEA’s Marcoule site in southern France.
The contract to operate the solid waste packaging facility and the equipment decontamination facility represents the largest contract for the operation of nuclear facilities that Orano has secured in France, a statement said.
It covers all activities for the operation of the two facilities for a maximum term of 10 years, including a five-year firm commitment. The contract is scheduled to take effect at the end of 2026 and will provide work for about 80 employees.
Under the contract, Orano will oversee operations and manage the associated waste.
The solid waste packaging facility is where solid waste generated by nuclear activities is packaged. The equipment decontamination facility is where decontamination and maintenance operations is carried out on equipment and materials.
The two facilities play a key role in waste management and the nuclear fuel cycle. The equipment decontamination facility serves as the operational outlet for the CEA’s low- and intermediate-level waste, destined for the Aube repository, operated by Andra in northeastern France.
CEA is a French government-funded technological research organisation in areas including low-carbon energies such as nuclear.
