the French called to decide on the extension of French power plants

A public consultation was launched Thursday by the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (HCTISN), concerning 20 reactors reaching the age of 40 years.

Do you have questions or concerns about the extension of nuclear power plants in France? This extension is one of the main axes of the new French energy policy, with the relaunch of nuclear power and the construction of new reactors. In this context, the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Security (HCTISN) is launching a public consultation on Thursday, January 18.

This consultation concerns the maintenance in activity of part of the French nuclear fleet. It concerns 20 of the 56 reactors in France. These 20 reactors are spread across around ten power plants, such as Paluel in Seine-Maritime, or Golfech in Tarn-et-Garonne. These are all those with a power of 1,300 megawatts. They were put into service between the mid-1980s and early 1990s and will therefore soon be 40 years old. A crucial age for these reactors, which will undergo a major in-depth control examination. They will be modified if necessary, for example to adapt them to climatic hazards, such as droughts.

The consultation launched on Thursday aims to prepare for these controls, beyond the relaunch of nuclear power, as underlined by the president of the High Committee for Transparency Christine Noiville. “At the time of the development of certain nuclear materials and equipment, it was the 40-year hypothesis which was considered as a technical operating hypothesis, she explains. So, it is normal at this time to ask the question of whether or not the maintenance of these reactors can be continued under optimal safety conditions. And for us, our question is not: ‘is it appropriate to continue operating or not?’ It’s ‘if the political decision is made to do it, then under what safety conditions is it possible.'”

“It’s normal that at this stage the public should have their say.”

Christine Noiville, president of the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Security

at franceinfo

This age of 40 years is however not a limit, because French law does not set a maximum operating time for reactors. But it requires these major checks every 10 years. And the nuclear safety authority will have to validate or not the extension of each reactor.

Everyone can participate in the consultation

Nuclear expert or not, living near one of the eight power plants concerned or not, everyone can give their opinion and share their concerns. Citizens also have a lot of questions, assures Jean-Claude Delalonde. He chairs the National Association of Local Information Committees and Commissions, around the power stations.

“Move to 50, 60 and over, why not?he envisions. But explain to us, if there is an accident, what would be the consequences for the population in terms of the environment, in terms of health and in terms of safety in general?questions Jean-Claude Delalonde. “We are concerned about this device”he adds, and says he wishes “be assured that, in view of feedback and the problems of aging technology, everything is done to ensure that our nuclear fleet continues to function well”.

“Give us all the information and answer our questions because they don’t have to be stupid.”

Jean-Claude Delalonde, president of the national association of local information committees and commissions

at franceinfo

These questions sometimes shed light on blind spots and are taken into account. According to the director in charge of nuclear production at EDF, Étienne Dutheil, this was the case during the same type of consultation launched five years ago for the oldest French reactors. “We had been very strongly questioned by the public on the training of staff, employeeshe remembers, and we have made a greater effort to better prepare our staff for the arrival of these changes and to better integrate training from the design stage. This was an expectation strongly expressed by the public that we incorporated during the fourth periodic review of the 900 megawatt reactors.”assures Étienne Dutheil.

To participate in this consultation, go to the dedicated website until June 30. Until then, meetings will be organized locally, around the power plants concerned.