"The Nuclear Safety Authority considers that the level of safety in nuclear installations and radiation protection in nuclear proximity activities were acceptable in 2019", said its president Bernard Doroszczuk on Thursday, before the parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Office of of scientific and technological choices. Among the positive points, he noted the absence of a major incident or significant release into the environment, as well as a "greater awareness by nuclear operators of the challenges they face collectively, particularly in terms of strengthening skills and quality of achievements. "
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ASN calls on EDF to reinforce "rigor of operation"
Bernard Doroszczuk however pointed out to EDF a "decline in the rigor of the operation" of its power plants. This resulted in an increase in significant events (three of level 2 on a scale of 7 last year against zero in 2018), inadequate documentation highlighted during situational exercises and finally the detection of "non-conformities" on the nuclear fleet. "Despite undeniable progress, there is therefore an effort at EDF to reinforce the rigor of operation," concluded Bernard Doroszczuk.
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He estimated that the first decennial visit of one of the 900 MW reactors, on the Tricastin site in the Drôme, essential for the continuation of its life beyond 40 years, took place in "satisfactory conditions ". But "ASN is increasingly seeing a saturation of EDF's engineering capacities and is wondering about its capacity to mobilize such means in the future on the other reactors and therefore to ensure success in realistic schedules safety reviews, "he said.
ASN must give an opinion on the extension of the 900 MW reactor fleet
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, "we do not foresee any major difficulties in respecting the schedule for the decennial visits," said Bernard Doroszczuk. "But as these are visits which are heavier in terms of issues, in particular for the 900 MW reactors which must be subject to ASN authorization after the reactor-by-reactor review, of course it is important that the timetable be respected as long as the ten-year time limit is set by law, "he added. This subject therefore deserves "great vigilance".
ASN must also give a so-called "generic" opinion on the extension of the entire fleet of 900 MW reactors. It is still expected at the end of the year, according to its president.