ASN considers that the overall working of the “fuel cycle” is stabilised, but nonetheless remains vigilant. This is because: ∙The action plan implemented by Orano since 2019 to overcome the production difficulties at Melox is still in progress. The use of a “wet process” depleted uranium powder, qualified in September 2022, is ongoing. Production by the Melox plant in 2024 was slightly higher than in 2023. The production of radioactive materials containing plutonium and not suitable for use as fuel in reactors, referred to as “MOX scrap”, was also stabilised at a low level. The use of this “wet process” powder thus helps improve the situation, pending the use of a comparable uranium powder from a new unit called “New Wet Process” (NVH) which Orano aims to qualify in its Malvési plant in 2025, before undertaking a qualification phase at Melox. ∙The problems with Melox production led to faster than anticipated saturation of the storage capacity for plutonium-bearing materials, requiring the creation of new storage areas for these materials at La Hague. An initial extension was authorised by ASN in April 2022, a second in April 2023 and a third is currently being examined by the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR), with a view to commissioning in 2025. ∙Replacement of the Fission Products Evaporator-Concentrators (“NCPF” project) in the UP3-A plant was completed in 2023, while that of the UP2-800 plant was completed in 2024. Commissioning took place satisfactorily. ∙Densification of the La Hague pools was authorised by ASN in December 2024, with a view to deployment as of June 2025. This project, which consisted in replacing the baskets currently used in the pools by more compact versions, in compliance with the limits set by the Creation Authorisation Decrees (DACs) of BNIs 116 and 117, constitutes one of the countermeasures identified to deal with the postponed commissioning of new spent fuel storage capacities. At this stage, this project does not entail any modification of the limits regarding the mass of fuel stored, the thermal power and the water temperature in the pools. Commissioning of these baskets will restore storage margins, which could be used as a last resort to counter any saturation, but not as part of routine operations. This last resort would then require specific authorisation by ASNR. 1.5 Outlook: planned facilities Construction of new storage capacity for waste packages on the La Hague site To anticipate the saturation of storage capacity for CSD-V (units R7, T7 and E/EV/SE), construction work on new storage facilities, known as the “glass storage extension on the La Hague site” (E/EV/LH) began in 2007. These facilities are being built module by module, with the construction of identical units called “pits”. On 8 September 2022, ASN authorised the introduction of radioactive waste packages into pit 50 in the E/EV/LH2 unit. Pit 60 is under construction in order to boost storage capacity. In addition, an extension of CSD-C storage, authorised by the Decree of 27 November 2020, is currently under construction; radioactive substances should be introduced into this extension for the first time in 2025, after authorisation by ASNR. In 2023, Orano submitted an application for a substantial modification to the DAC of BNI 116 (UP3-A) to increase the storage capacity for CSD-C waste packages and CSD-V waste packages. This application will be the subject of a public inquiry. Extension project for the North unit of the George Besse II plant on the Tricastin site In July 2022, Orano sent ASN a Safety Options Dossier (DOS) concerning a project to extend the North unit of the GB II plant, in order to increase the plant’s production capacity by about 30%. ASN issued a position statement on the file on 7 February 2023. A prior consultation was organised on this project by Orano, under the aegis of the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) from 1 February to 9 March 2023. The guarantors designated by the CNDP submitted the results of the consultation on 9 May 2023, to which Orano responded on 13 June 2023, indicating that it intended to continue with the project. On 19 June 2023, Orano submitted an application for modification of the DAC in order to increase the production capacity of the GB II plant by about 30%. The application was the subject of a public inquiry in 2024 and ASNR is currently examining it. EDF centralised storage pool project at La Hague During the public debate held in 2019, prior to the 5th edition of the National Radioactive Materials and Waste Management Plan (PNGMDR), EDF reaffirmed that its strategy to increase spent fuel storage capacity is based on the construction of a new centralised storage pool. This new facility should allow storage of spent fuels for which reprocessing or disposal can only be envisaged in the longterm future. The envisaged operating life for this storage facility was therefore about a century. On 15 October 2024, during the plenary meeting of the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN), EDF and Orano announced that they were abandoning the spent fuel centralised storage pool project supported by EDF, in favour of another project, still at La Hague, but with Orano as owner. This new spent fuel storage capacity should be commissioned in 2040. ASN recalls the importance of obtaining new spent fuel storage capacities meeting the most recent safety standards, in order to provide a lasting solution to the risk of saturation of the existing capacity. Project for dry storage of spent fuels on the La Hague site In November 2021, Orano submitted the first version of a DOS to ASN, which considers it to be insufficient at this stage to enable it to issue a ruling. The updated DOS transmitted by Orano in 2023 is currently being examined by ASNR and a position statement will be issued in 2025. 340 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 “Nuclear fuel cycle” facilities
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