∙ intermediate-level long-lived (ILW-LL) activated metallic waste from operation of the in-service NPPs, for example parts installed near the reactor core such as the control rod clusters, intended for deep geological disposal after interim storage; ∙ certain types of low-level or intermediate-level short-lived waste (LL/ILW-SL), baptised “deferred dispatch” waste, intended for above-ground disposal but necessitating a period of radioactive decay ranging from a few years to a few tens of years before being accepted at the Aube repository (CSA– BNI 149), operated by the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra). By letter of 5 May 2021, EDF submitted to the Minister responsible for nuclear safety a request to amend the Iceda Creation Authorisation Decree (DAC), to allow the acceptance of decommissioning waste from the Fessenheim NPP, which is currently being examined by ASN. The year 2024 was marked by a long production-free period, scheduled to continue until March 2025. The licensee devoted this time to maintenance operations, operator training, updating of the facility’s baseline operating requirements and applying technical modifications in order to integrate the lessons learned from the first production campaigns. Based on the inspections conducted in 2024, ASN considers that safety and radiation protection are duly taken into account in the operation of Iceda. The licensee must make sure that this good level of operating quality is maintained over time when the production operations resume and increase in intensity. Inter-regional warehouse The inter-regional warehouse (MIR – BNI 102) operated by EDF at Bugey is a storage facility for fresh nuclear fuel intended for the NPP fleet in operation. ASN conducted an inspection in 2024 to check the licensee’s periodic verifications and its meeting of the commitments made to ASN. The inspection conclusions are positive and ASN deems the meeting of commitments to be satisfactory. SAINT-ALBAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT The Saint-Alban NPP, operated by EDF in the Isère département on the municipalities of Saint‑Alban‑du‑Rhône and Saint‑Maurice‑l’Exil, 40 km south of Lyon, comprises two 1,300 MWe PWRs commissioned in 1986 and 1987. Reactor 1 constitutes BNI 119 and reactor 2 BNI 120. ASN considers that the nuclear safety and radiation protection performance of the Saint Alban NPP stand out positively with respect to its general assessment of EDF plant performance, and that its environmental protection performance is broadly in line with this general assessment. With regard to nuclear safety, ASN finds that the site’s facilities are operated and maintained satisfactorily despite a context of intense industrial activity. ASN considers that the reactor refuelling outages were carried out under suitably safe conditions with a well-managed activities schedule. The safety-significant activities such as preventive cleaning of the reactor 1 Steam Generators (SGs) were carried out in accordance with the safety and environmental protection requirements. With regard to reactor operation, monitoring in the control room and operating team skills management are satisfactory. With regard to occupational radiation protection, ASN considers the operational results to be satisfactory. ASN’s tightened inspection in this area and the site’s results indicators have revealed an improvement in the radiation protection culture and rigour in marking out worksites. Regarding protection of the environment, ASN considers that the handling of unforeseen technical issues affecting the environmental protection devices is improving. The site’s facilities are in satisfactory technical condition, which prevented the surrounding environments from being harmed in loss of liquid effluent containment situations. In the area of occupational health and safety, ASN observes that the site is continuing the deployment of national actions, particularly with regard to electrical risks, lifting operation risks and the implementation of a tool for better managing the asbestos risk. Specific measures relating to the lead contamination risk have been successfully implemented on the site. Thanks to the vigilance applied during the outages in 2024, the accident rate low remained low. 40 ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES
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