event of an accident. When envisaging locating reactors on such sites, the safety objectives to be achieved must be adapted, consistently with the method used to take account of malicious attacks. ASN set up a pluralistic exchange framework involving the stakeholders, to inform its thinking and thus be able to define a position on the safety objectives of these reactors. The most innovative reactors also need specific fuel for which the industrial production and reprocessing chains do not yet exist and would require significant investment. ASN recalls the importance of developing a systemic approach incorporating the industrial chain, supply of nuclear fuel, management of spent fuels and other waste generated, as well as management of the risk of malicious acts and the proliferation of nuclear materials. Faced with quality and safety culture challenges along the subcontracting chain, the industry has launched numerous initiatives The revival of the nuclear industry represents a challenge for the sector, not only in terms of recruitment, but also with respect to growth not seen for several decades, as well as in terms of guaranteeing the required quality of all components involved in safety. Industrial rigour and the safety culture are essential and the sector, in particular within the French Nuclear Energy Industry Players Group (GIFEN), is fully aware of this. However, 2024 again saw significant deviations and even irregularities, which were dealt with by the licensees concerned and examined by ASN’s departments. Faced with these persistent deviations, the Commission held a hearing of the EDF Chief Executive Officer to ensure that there is a true collective mobilisation to avoid a recurrence of the manufacturing and construction defects that beset the construction of the Flamanville EPR, notably on the new nuclear construction sites. ASN considers that the plans proposed by EDF and the GIFEN are a step in the right direction, but finds that the mobilisation by the industrial players as a whole is insufficiently robust. In 2024, ASN produced a practical guide concerning the quality of equipment intended for nuclear facilities, which notably recalls the importance of accurately identifying the requirements and the need for appropriate and timely monitoring of the production chain. Considerations on the long-term development of the “fuel cycle” plants For several years now, ASN has been warning of the pressure on the “fuel cycle” in France. The “cycle” facilities are vulnerable and each unit is a unique link in the processing chain. Saturation of the spent fuel storage facilities at La Hague would also have consequences for the operation of the Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). The significant drop in production by the Melox plant and the faster than anticipated corrosion of the evaporators at La Hague, used to concentrate the nitric acid solutions of fission and transuranic products, illustrated this vulnerability in recent years. This situation is however improving, with the gradual rise in Melox production over the past two years and replacement of the evaporators at La Hague which was completed this year. With regard to pressure on the “cycle”, the decision to continue to operate reactors consuming MOX fuel (those of 900 MWe), pushes back the prospect of saturation of spent fuel storage capacity. Following the Nuclear Policy Council meeting of February 2024, active consideration was given to the long-term future and upgrading of the “cycle” plants, with a view to continuation of the reprocessing policy up until the end of the century. In this context, EDF abandoned its centralised pool project in favour of a facility integrated into Orano’s industrial programme on the La Hague site. The new facilities will need to be designed taking account of the most recent safety standards, at least equivalent to those of EDF’s centralised pool project. While waiting for these future facilities and given the fact that they will not be able to take over instantaneously from the existing ones, it is essential to continue to implement countermeasures against the risk of saturation. Over and above simple announcements, it is essential that decisions be taken immediately so that the projects can move to the implementation phase and be completed as rapidly as possible, starting with commissioning of new pools in 2040. The major upcoming milestones are Orano’s submission of the Safety Options Dossiers (DOS) for the new facilities and then referral to the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) concerning a dossier presenting the projects for new spent fuel storage ponds. Following the current study phase, the Future Back-End project should ideally be the subject of debate and consultation. Editorial by the Commission ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 5
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