1. Sector development

1.1 The benefits of fast neutron reactors

Water reactors use only around 2% of the energy potential of natural uranium; in fast breeder reactors, all the natural uranium can be used, and the gain in energy recovered is of the order of 50%, i.e. 2% × 50 = 100% (all the uranium).

This is the first advantage of this type of reactor, making its development a necessity.

As far as natural uranium consumption in France is concerned, a recent study of different scenarios for the use of nuclear power plants shows that cumulative natural uranium consumption in 2070 would fall from around 860,000 t if advanced pressurized water reactors (PWRs) without plutonium recycling were used, to 260,000 t with the gradual introduction of fast reactors (fast...