Tractebel accompagne EDF dans des études techniques de niche pour le parc nucléaire français

Tractebel is working alongside CERG, a research and testing centre specialising in fluid mechanics, under a new framework contract awarded by EDF for specialised studies in the nuclear field.

With a potential duration of up to nine years, the contract will draw on Tractebel’s expertise in hydraulic structure design, hydraulic studies and regulatory impact assessments for nuclear power plants.

Entitled “Niche studies in civil engineering, hydraulics and geotechnics applied to structures at nuclear power plants”, this framework contract was awarded to a consortium bringing together CERG, the lead contractor, and Tractebel. It continues the collaboration established in 2020 between EDF, CERG and Tractebel. It covers both France’s existing nuclear fleet and structures associated with the New Nuclear programme.

Launched in June 2026, this contract reflects EDF’s confidence in our consortium’s ability to address highly specific technical issues at the intersection of several engineering disciplines. Orders may notably be placed by EDF’s CNEPE and Technical Directorate, as well as by all EDF engineering centres working in the nuclear sector.

Technical studies supporting complex nuclear structures

The scope of the contract includes the design and sizing of marine and river structures, hydrodynamic studies, hydraulic modelling, external flooding studies, analysis of geological, river and marine data, as well as hydraulic and regulatory impact assessments.

These studies cover targeted topics requiring an understanding of the structures, their hydraulic context, the applicable standards and the recommendations expected by EDF.

Within the consortium, Tractebel will take the lead on the design and sizing of structures, studies relating to the marine environment and external flooding studies. Its specialist teams will analyse technical issues, structure the studies and produce deliverables that meet EDF’s expectations and the requirements of the nuclear sector.

Strong complementary expertise with CERG

CERG is recognised as a centre of expertise specialising in fluid mechanics and numerical simulation. It has testing and R&D facilities dedicated to strategic industrial sectors, including energy and nuclear power.

Its laboratory, located near Grenoble, has more than one hundred testing facilities that can reproduce and study hydraulic phenomena under conditions representative of industrial environments. These experimental facilities can notably address phenomena at high temperature and under pressure, as well as issues involving vibration, acoustics, multiphase flows and component qualification.

This expertise ideally complements Tractebel’s know-how, enabling the consortium to support EDF on a wider range of projects, from analysing hydraulic phenomena to designing and sizing structures. This collaboration therefore helps deliver robust and reliable studies that support the performance, safety and sustainability of nuclear facilities.

Niche expertise for unique challenges

Through this contract, Tractebel confirms its ability to mobilise high-level expertise in support of EDF and the French nuclear fleet, strengthening its role as an engineering partner for the performance, safety and sustainability of nuclear infrastructure.