Nuclear: Safety Authority gives green light for 10-year extension of 20 reactors

The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority has given the green light to a ten-year extension of France's 20 1,300 MW reactors, the oldest of which will be 40 years old next year, it announced on Thursday, July 3.

"The ASNR considers that all the provisions planned by EDF and those it prescribes open the prospect of continued operation of these reactors for the ten years following their fourth periodic review," it explains in an information note dated July 1. The work will continue until 2040 for the last reactors, it specifies.

This decision closes the so-called "generic" phase of the review, which concerns studies and modifications to the facilities common to all 1,300 MW reactors, designed on a similar model, specifies the ANSR.

The first ten-year inspections of these reactors, beyond 40 years of age, will begin next year. The first reactor concerned will be the one in Paluel (Seine-Maritime) in early 2026, EDF emphasized.

This fourth periodic review is particularly important since, when designing certain reactor equipment, an assumption of 40 years of operation was adopted, explains the ANSR. "Continuing beyond this period requires an update of the design studies or replacement of equipment," it specifies.

The ASNR 's requirements will then be broken down reactor by reactor during their fourth periodic review, the Authority adds. "The specific features of each of the installations will then be taken into account" and the review report for each reactor "will be the subject of a public inquiry" .

The ASNR's decision follows a consultation that began in January and ended on June 30 on the safety conditions for EDF's continued operation of these 20 1,300 MW reactors.