Shortcomings in terms of radiation protection and nuclear safety are again singled out. “It is not because the results are below average that the plant is not safe”, however notes the nuclear policeman.
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The Nuclear Safety Authority once again singled out the Gravelines nuclear power plant (North) for its performance in terms of nuclear safety and radiation protection in 2021, Thursday June 23.
This is the second year in a row that the French nuclear police have targeted this plant, the most powerful in Western Europe. ASN said its performance “are behind in terms of nuclear safety and radiation protection compared to the general assessment that ASN has of EDF’s nuclear power plants”in a press release.
Authority points the finger at “inappropriate practices or behaviors”. She cites the example of an agent who declared in advance that he had visited a premises, and who ultimately did not go there. The start of a leak in this room could therefore only be observed the next day, leading to the shutdown of one of the six reactors.
In 2021, ASN identified 11 significant events, including one in terms of radiation protection. She also notes that the year was marked by “significant extensions of shutdown times for maintenance and refueling of reactors”.
A reinforced inspection carried out in 2022 however showed that “lights were turning green”particularly in terms of environmental protection. “The level of requirements demanded by the ASN is high: it is not because the results are below average that the plant is not safe”, underlined Rémy Zmyslony, head of the Lille division of ASN. The authority must decide whether or not to continue the operation of reactor 1 of the plant beyond 40 years after a public inquiry, which must be held at the end of 2022-beginning of 2023.