With regard to occupational health and safety, the inspections carried out by the labour inspectors show that worksite preparation needs to be improved, notably to limit the risks of exposure to asbestos and lead. Lifting operations and on-site traffic rules remain points meriting attention. The EPR 2 reactor projects In 2023, EDF submitted the creation authorisation application for two EPR 2 reactors on the Penly site (Seine-Maritime département). The technical examination of this dossier is currently under way. The design of the EPR 2 reactor is more advanced than the Flamanville EPR reactor at the same stage, which is a positive point. ASN also finds that EDF and Framatome are making efforts to incorporate the lessons learned from the Flamanville EPR reactor in the design and manufacture of the nuclear steam supply System for the EPR 2 reactors. Individual nuclear power plant assessments The ASN assessments of each NPP are detailed in the Regional Overview in this report. With regard to safety, the Cattenom and Penly NPPs stood out positively in 2024. The Dampierre-en-Burly, Blayais and Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux NPPs under- performed by comparison with the other NPPs operated by EDF. With regard to radiation protection, the Saint-Alban and Chooz B NPPs stood out positively. ASN considers that the Tricastin and Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux NPPs had under-performed. With regard to environmental protection, the Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux, Tricastin and Chinon NPPs stood out positively. Nuclear power plants being decommissioned and waste management facilities ASN considers that the EDF facilities undergoing decommissioning or being prepared for decommissioning are well managed and that the licensee is correctly meeting its commitments. ASN considers that the decommissioning or Decommissioning Preparation Operations (DECPROs) on the facilities other than the Gas-Cooled Reactors (GCRs) are progressing at a satisfactory pace. With regard to the GCR reactors, the deadlines for completion of the decommissioning operations envisaged by EDF remain a subject requiring vigilance according to ASN. Installations shut down or undergoing decommissioning The reactors operated by EDF finally shut down or undergoing decommissioning (Brennilis, Chooz A, Fessenheim, Superphénix, GCRs) no longer contain any spent fuel. The main safety issues therefore concern the containment of radioactive substances and radiation protection. Some installations also present an additional risk linked to the presence of asbestos, sometimes combined with the presence of radiological contamination, which makes the intervention conditions more complex. With regard to radiation protection, the organisation put into place by EDF in its radiation protection expertise centres is satisfactory. With respect to these projects, EDF gives priority to risk mitigation in its facilities. The DECPROs of the Fessenheim NPP are continuing so that the installation achieves its initial state planned for entry into force of the future Decommissioning Decree. ASN takes a positive view in 2024 of the initiation of decommissioning of the EL4-D facility (Brennilis NPP). EDF also intends to carry out post-operational clean-out operations on the structures of facilities undergoing decommissioning (Chooz A, Bugey 1), the methodology of which is currently being examined by ASN. With regard to the GCRs, in 2024 EDF continued the “out of vessel” decommissioning work on the reactors at Saint-Laurent A, Bugey 1 and Chinon A3 in satisfactory conditions of safety, notably completing removal of the shells of the four Chinon A2 exchanger premises. In 2025, as part of the continued examination of the decommissioning files for these reactors, the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) will thus pay particular attention to the planned time-frames for decommissioning of these reactors, along with the robustness of the graphite waste management strategy presented by EDF. ASNR will also remain vigilant with regard to the satisfactory performance of the various steps in the decommissioning of the Irradiated Material Facility (AMI – BNI 94) in Chinon, for which operations were halted during 2024 as a result of water infiltration. The spent fuel and radioactive waste management facilities With regard to its facilities in operation, EDF is carrying out numerous equipment upgrades in the Superphénix spent fuel storage unit (Apec), which is satisfactory. ASN considers that EDF must continue to consolidate the radioactive waste retrieval projects, notably the soda blocks stored in the Apec and the graphite sleeves contained in the Saint-Laurent-des-Eaux silos. ASN Assessments 24 ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024
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