Nuclear reactors of the future

Rapid growth in global energy needs, concerns about energy security and climate risk, and the excellent performance of nuclear power generation over the past twenty years are all reasons for renewed interest in nuclear energy. This context is opening up new prospects for this energy source, at a time when strategies are being drawn up for the renewal of power generation facilities and energy development scenarios capable of meeting the needs of the world's population over the long term, while respecting the environment and the limits of natural resources. This dossier presents the objectives for nuclear reactors in the 2nd half of the 21st century, the main technological breakthroughs they involve, and the conditions under which international cooperation is being organized to develop them. France's active participation in research into these reactors of the future is essential to maintain our nuclear industry's leading position on the international stage, beyond the current commercialization of third-generation water-cooled reactors.