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The Flamanville nuclear power plant and its two traditional reactors have been placed under " reinforced surveillance " by the Nuclear Safety Authority, considering that EDF is experiencing difficulties. The plant in the North-West accumulates the setbacks, especially with the construction of the EPR, which is however not involved in this case.
The French nuclear policeman, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) announced Wednesday, September 11 to have placed the nuclear power plant under " enhanced surveillance " after a first warning. In July, the ASN had already summoned the director of the plant, which has two reactors of 1,300 MW, to ask him to strengthen the control of the operating activities. An action plan had been requested.
This monitoring is a rare procedure and only concerns the two reactors in operation. The EPR reactor site, complicated and very late , is not concerned, although ongoing on the same site.
A series of reproaches had been made to EDF and to the director of the plant: deficiency in the control of certain technical operations, maintenance and monitoring of service providers, quality problems on documents, among others.
All this translates "in particular by additional controls and special attention " for the action plan of the plant, indicates the ASN in a note. This plan of action was " defined by EDF after the convening of the director of the plant " in July, continues the constable of the atom. ASN will focus on the operation itself, the maintenance of the site, through the control of the security exercised by EDF.
Although two reactors are officially designated, only the first is specifically concerned by the surveillance: the reactor number 2 is currently stopped for its ten-year visit. This is mandatory for a possible extension of operation.
Reinforced surveillance should take the necessary time for EDF to comply with ASN requirements. Of the 19 EDF plants in France, only one other is concerned: that of Belleville-sur-Loire (Cher). And this, for almost two years.