Radioprotection, 60 years, EPR2… The ASNR presents its major issues on safety

One month after its creation, the new Nuclear and Radiological Safety Authority (ASNR) is unveiling its priorities for the coming years. Radiological protection, extending reactor lifetimes, new projects such as EPR2, technological innovations… Its president, Pierre-Marie Abadie, presents the major issues for this organization born from the merger of the ASN and the IRSN.

On Thursday, January 30, the brand-new Nuclear and Radiological Safety Authority (ASNR), resulting from the merger between the ASN and the IRSN, presented its New Year’s wishes to the press after one month in existence. Its president, Pierre-Marie Abadie, states outright: “The ASNR is operational in all its dimensions: expertise, instruction, control, environmental monitoring, emergency management, international, research.”

[#VoeuxPresse2025] « Nous sommes tous nouveaux à l’ASNR, qui n’est ni l’ASN, ni l’IRSN » : P.-M. Abadie, président + les membres du Collège et de la direction générale présentent les 1ers vœux de l’Autorité de sûreté #nucléaire et de #radioprotection à la presse pic.twitter.com/TCypvpBgqf

— Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (@ASNR_FR) January 28, 2025

Five major issues will structure its action in the coming years. The first concerns the radiological protection of local nuclear activities. Referring to advances in medical technologies, Pierre-Marie Abadie highlights the need for all healthcare stakeholders to be fully aware of radioprotection issues, given that many facilities remain vulnerable in this area. Yet it is this type of nuclear activity with which French people are most frequently in contact in their daily lives.

Reactors at 60 years

The second issue is, unsurprisingly, the safety of the nuclear power fleet and the cycle plants. “Extending the existing fleet is our primary task,” insists Pierre-Marie Abadie. Indeed, the first 50-year inspections for the 900 MW reactors are imminent, and the ASNR has already taken positions on key points such as conformity checks, aging measurement, and taking climate risk into account. As for long-term operation—60 years or even beyond—the aim is to identify factors that may limit the service life of the facilities. The ASNR will deliver a technical position by the end of 2026 in order “to inform the public authorities.”

The third issue: new nuclear with the EPR2 program. “The construction of these new EPRs is an industrial challenge,” says the president of the ASNR, who assures that the authority will be vigilant regarding quality improvement and the principle of ‘getting it right the first time.’ Moreover, in June of last year, the ASN (Autorité de sûreté nucléaire) had published a guide for subcontractors detailing the levels of requirement expected.

Adapting to innovation

Fourth, the ASNR will have to address innovations in nuclear, notably through SMR (Small Modular Reactors) and AMR (Advanced Modular Reactors). “Innovation is a good thing in nuclear,” states Pierre-Marie Abadie, specifying that the ASNR adapts to new ways of working, especially with sector startups. He points out that these technologies raise unprecedented questions, such as passive safety, on which the ASNR will “ramp up” thanks to a dedicated platform at Cadarache, called PASTIS (Passive Systems Thermalhydraulic Investigations for Safety). Among other challenges are off-site operation, the accidental management of fuel supply, and the emergence of new types of waste.

Finally, fifth, the ASNR is focusing on the long-term viability of the fuel cycle plants. The Authority wants in particular to maintain physical margins for storage. Pierre-Marie Abadie highlights EDF’s changing strategy, which pools its efforts with Orano’s new pools at La Hague. While the ASNR recently authorized an increase in the density of existing pools to restore storage margins, it insists on the need “to have new storage capacities in line with current safety standards.” The ASNR also declares itself attentive to the reliability of the Melox plant, the construction of a future Melox plant, and the long-term viability of the La Hague site. ■