The role of fast breeder reactor in the French energetic situation

Given the poor fossil resources, a significant proportion of French energy generation must and will be ensured in 1990 (almost 30%) by nuclear elecricity from PWR thermal reactors. As from the ensuing decade, and particularly after the year 2000, one, if not the only way of guaranteeing independence with respect to uranium supplies, given the national resources, is the gradual introduction of breeders. They will also enable plutonium from thermal reactors to be used to prevent it from becoming waste. Their strict competitiveness with PWRs from the economic level does not appear to be accessible, at least in the short and medium term, even by a probable reorientation to a rise in uranium prices which should occur sooner or later. But a limited surcharge appears to have to be accepted, there being so much at stake in terms of the independence and guarantee of resources. The present studies of boilers and the corresponding installations of the cycle are aimed at this objective for commissionings between 1990 and 2000, with possible commitment decisions in 1986