According to L’Express, the small nuclear reactor sector is experiencing significant growth in France, supported by the France 2030 plan. Approximately ten companies are positioning themselves in this field to decarbonize industry. Mini-nuclear reactors, or Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), are attracting the attention of the French government. Several French startups have committed to this area, thus fostering healthy and collaborative development. Otrera is mentioned as one of the companies applying for the ‘Innovative Reactors’ call for tenders from the Public Investment Bank.
To convince the jury, Frédéric Varaine, co-founder of Otrera, intends to capitalize on his experience as former head of the Astrid project. “At the end of the program in 2019, we were seven to eight years ahead of the Americans and 10 to 12 years ahead of the Chinese,” the engineer recalls.
Other winners of the call for projects will be announced shortly, and 1.2 billion euros will be distributed. Funding remains a crucial issue for these projects. Despite the challenges, the small nuclear reactor sector in France offers significant potential for the decarbonization of industry.