Areva facts for kids
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Headquarters in Courbevoie, France
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| State-owned enterprise | |
| Industry | Nuclear industry |
| Predecessors | Framatome Cogema Technicatome |
| Successors | Framatome Orano Technicatome |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters |
Courbevoie, Paris
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France
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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Philippe Braidy (chairman and chief executive officer) |
| Products | Nuclear reactors Nuclear fuel Uranium Electric power |
| Services | Nuclear enrichment Nuclear material transport Nuclear reprocessing |
| Owner | Government of France |
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Number of employees
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45,340 (2013) |
| Subsidiaries |
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Areva S.A. was a big French company that worked with nuclear power. Its main office was in Courbevoie, France. Before 2016, the French government owned most of Areva. Other owners included a French investment bank and the Kuwait Investment Authority.
As part of a big change, Areva sold or stopped its renewable energy businesses. It sold its reactor business, Areva NP (now called Framatome), to EDF. It also sold its nuclear propulsion and research reactors part, Areva TA (now Technicatome), to a government agency. Its nuclear fuel cycle business became a new company called New Areva, which is now Orano. After these changes, Areva S.A. became fully owned by the French government. It is now mainly responsible for issues related to the Olkiluoto 3 project in Finland. Areva S.A. also owns 40% of Orano.
Contents
A Look Back: Areva's History
How Areva Started
Areva was created on 3 April 2001. It was formed by joining three companies: Framatome, Cogema, and Technicatome. These companies later changed their names within Areva. Anne Lauvergeon became the first CEO of the new company.
In 2003, the French government thought about selling parts of Areva to private owners. However, this plan was put off many times. In 2005, the French Prime Minister decided to stop the privatization process.
In 2003, Areva won a contract for the Olkiluoto 3 project in Finland. This project was to build a new type of third-generation nuclear reactor. Construction on this project started in 2005.
In 2004, Areva bought the power transmission and distribution parts of Alstom. This became Areva T&D. But in 2010, it was sold back to Alstom and Schneider Electric.
In 2005, Areva and Constellation Energy started a joint company called UniStar Nuclear. Their goal was to sell the EPR nuclear reactor in the United States. This company later became UniStar Nuclear Energy. In 2010, EDF bought all of UniStar Nuclear Energy. However, these plans did not work out. In 2015, Areva stopped trying to get approval for the EPR reactor in the U.S.
In 2006, Areva started a new business group for renewable energy. This included things like wind turbines. In 2007, Areva bought more than half of a company that made offshore wind turbines called Multibrid. This company was a pioneer in German offshore wind power. Its M5000 wind turbine had a special design. In 2010, Areva bought the rest of Multibrid and renamed it Areva Wind. In 2010, Areva also bought a solar energy company called Ausra, which became Areva Solar.
In 2007, Areva bought UraMin, a company that mined uranium. This company later became Areva Resources Southern Africa.
Also in 2007, Areva began building the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor in France. In November 2007, Areva made a large deal with the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group. This deal was to supply two EPR reactors for the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant in China. Areva also agreed to help run the plant. In 2007, Areva and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries created a joint company called Atmea. They worked together to develop a new type of nuclear reactor. In 2009, Siemens sold its shares in Areva NP, making it fully owned by Areva.
In 2008, Areva planned to build a uranium enrichment facility in Idaho, USA, but this project was later canceled. In 2008, Areva also won a contract to help clean up the Sellafield nuclear site in the UK.
In June 2008, Areva and Kazatomprom agreed to create a joint company called Katco.
In 2009, Areva signed an agreement to supply nuclear reactors to India for the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
In 2010, Areva announced it was working on a new type of reactor. This reactor would be able to break down certain waste products from nuclear power.
In 2011, Areva's shares were listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Paris.
Challenges After Fukushima
In December 2011, Areva paused building work at several sites. This happened after the company expected to lose a lot of money.
Areva stopped expanding its plants in France. It also paused work at uranium mines in the Central African Republic, Namibia, and South Africa. This also caused delays for a new enrichment facility in the United States. Areva also had to write off most of the money it spent buying Uramin in 2007. This was because the uranium deposits were not as valuable as thought.
In September 2014, a credit rating agency said it might lower Areva's credit rating. This was due to poor financial results. Areva then said it would cut spending and sell some assets. In March 2015, Areva's credit rating was lowered further after the company reported a large loss for 2014.
In 2012, Areva bought a company that developed hydrogen technology. It renamed this company Areva H2Gen. In the same year, it opened a hydrogen storage system in Corsica, France. This system aimed to test storing solar energy using hydrogen. The goal was to help stabilize Corsica's power grid. In 2014, Areva added its energy storage system, the Greenergy Box, to this setup. In January 2014, Areva and a Spanish wind turbine maker created a joint company called Adwen. In August 2014, Areva left the solar energy business.
In October 2013, Areva won a large contract to supply two EPR nuclear reactors for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in England. It would also help with uranium extraction and fuel making.
In December 2013, Areva and China General Nuclear Power agreed to work together on renewable energy. They focused on offshore wind, biomass, concentrated solar power, and energy storage.
In October 2014, Areva's CEO, Luc Oursel, took time off for health reasons. He passed away in December of that year. In November 2014, Areva's debt ratings were lowered again.
In May 2014, Areva and a French energy agency announced the creation of the AREVA H2-Gen joint company.
In December 2015, operations at Le Creusot Forge were stopped. This happened after problems were found at the Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant. About 400 large steel parts made by Le Creusot Forge were found to have weak spots. This led to checks on many reactors. In December 2016, inspectors found evidence of fake paperwork. In April 2017, the French nuclear safety authority set new rules for the forge to restart. In August 2017, it required checking manufacturing records for all parts during reactor shutdowns.
Company Changes
In June 2016, Areva's plans for big changes were announced. This included selling most of its reactor business to EDF in 2017. The Olkiluoto 3 EPR project in Finland stayed with Areva SA. As part of the changes, Areva created a new fuel cycle company, called New Co or New Areva. This new company combined several Areva businesses. It became a fully owned part of Areva. However, Areva lost control when the French government invested money to help the company. On 23 January 2018, this new company changed its name to Orano. In January 2017, Areva sold its share in the wind turbine company Adwen. In March 2017, Areva sold its nuclear propulsion and research reactor business, Areva TA, to a government agency.
What Areva Does Now
As of 2019, Areva S.A. is mainly responsible for issues related to the Olkiluoto 3 project. This reactor was supposed to start making electricity in 2009. However, the project was delayed until 2023 and cost more money than planned. Areva and TVO, the plant's owner, reached an agreement. Areva agreed to pay money for the delays. This agreement settled all legal issues between them.
Areva also owns 40% of Orano, the company that handles nuclear fuel cycle activities.
What Areva Used to Do
Areva used to be involved in almost every step of nuclear energy production. This included mining uranium, processing it, making nuclear fuel, and handling used fuel. Areva also offered solutions for renewable energy. Its activities were split into five main business groups.
Nuclear Operations
- Mining: This group found, dug up, and processed uranium ore. It also restored mining sites after they closed. They had staff all over the world and operated uranium mines in Canada, Kazakhstan, and Niger. This part of the business is now part of Orano.
- Front End: This group prepared fuel for Areva's customers. This included changing uranium ore into a gas, enriching the uranium, and designing and making fuel for nuclear reactors. This part is now also part of Orano.
- Reactors and Services: This group designed and built different types of nuclear reactors. They also offered services to keep reactors running. This part is now mostly part of Framatome. They also designed reactors for naval ships and research, which is now Technicatome.
- Back End: This group found ways to recycle used nuclear fuel so it could be used again. They also offered ways to store and transport radioactive materials. They helped clean up nuclear sites. This part is now part of Orano. In 2017, they launched a new system for storing used nuclear fuel.
Renewable Energy Operations
Areva started its renewable energy business in 2006. This group focused on four areas:
- Concentrated solar power: Using mirrors to focus sunlight and create energy.
- Offshore wind power: Wind turbines placed in the sea.
- Biomass power: Making electricity from organic waste like wood or sugar cane. Areva built biomass power plants around the world.
- Hydrogen power storage and distribution: Developing ways to store energy using hydrogen.
Areva also bought a technology that made a biofuel from biomass. This biofuel could replace coal for energy. They also developed a modular design for small biomass power plants.
Areva designed systems to store energy and produce electricity using fuel cells. They also produced hydrogen through a process called electrolysis. Areva supported research in hydrogen technology with other companies and research groups.
Other Operations
Areva was also involved in military technology. For example, it designed the nuclear reactor for the French Barracuda class submarine. One of Areva's companies, Euriware, specialized in IT services. Areva also owned small parts of other large companies like Safran and Suez Environnement.
CERCA, another Areva company, made fuel for research reactors. It also worked with a US company on a type of research reactor called TRIGA. These reactors are used for training, research, and making special materials called radioisotopes.
Areva was also a member of the Bruegel think tank, which is a group that studies economic issues.
Corporate Issues
What's in a Name?
The name Areva came from the name of an old monastery called the Cistercian Abbey of Arévalo.
Sport Sponsorships
Areva sponsored many sports events over the years. In 2009, Areva launched Athlenergy.com, a website for runners. It became a sponsor of the French Athletics Federation. It also sponsored the Meeting Areva, a track and field competition in France. In 2014, Athlenergy.com became Arevarun. Areva also sponsored other running events, like the Paris Half Marathon.
From 2008 to 2012, Areva sponsored the German football club FC Nürnberg.
Areva sponsored French sailing teams in the America's Cup races in 2002 and 2007. In 2002, during its first public appearance, the "Defi Areva" yacht accidentally hit a small boat carrying protesters.
See Also
In Spanish: Areva para niños
- Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant
- European Atomic Energy Community
- Groupe INTRA
- Kazatomprom
- Nine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Station
- Nuclear Power 2010 Program
- World Nuclear Industry Status Report
- UraMin
Images for kids
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Areva Logo
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Headquarters in Courbevoie, France
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Former Areva headquarters, rue Lafayette in Paris
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Olkiluoto-3 under construction in 2009
