In order to develop aligned positions to meet the major challenges facing the French nuclear sector and to prepare the appropriate decisions, EDF, the CEA and AREVA have decided to found the French Nuclear Platform (Plateforme France Nucleaire - PFN), a tripartite body to discuss the major transversal topics for the nuclear sector in France and abroad.

This body will unite, on a quarterly basis, six key managers from the three entities, including the Chairmen of the CEA, EDF and AREVA. Its chairmanship will be decided on a rotating basis, with the Chairman's mandate lasting one year. The first mandate will be entrusted to the Chairman of AREVA.

The purpose of the PFN is to improve the joint effectiveness of the three entities, in particular to devise a shared vision of the medium- and long-term goals for the sector, which will contribute to the preparation and implementation of decisions taken by the French Presidential Nuclear Policy Council (Conseil de Politique Nucleaire).

The PFN will establish by the end of 2016 a working agenda that will to cover the current priority topics: the prospects for the French nuclear sector in accordance with France's Energy Transition law, the sector's international strategy established in cooperation with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and other concerned ministries, the review of technological options for the EPR NM, the consolidation of relations with SMEs in the sector in coordination with the French Industry Strategic Committee (Comite Strategique de Filiere Nucleaire), and the coordination of positions on regulatory changes notably regarding safety requirements and objectives.

The PFN will also work together on the future of the closed fuel cycle in France and abroad, the optimization of the CIGEO deep waste disposal project, the development of dismantling technologies, as well as the R and D program for fourth generation reactors.

It was imperative for EDF, the CEA and AREVA to form a consultative body to be able to best confront the profound changes currently underway in the highly-competitive nuclear sector. The creation of the PFN will make a major contribution to the French nuclear sector.