Connexion

Cigéo project cost could reach €37.5bn according to Andra

The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management has revised upward its evaluation of the Cigéo underground storage project, with a maximum potential cost of €37.5bn ($40.4bn) over 150 years.

Partagez:

The French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management (Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs, Andra) has revised the cost estimate of the Cigéo project, which involves the underground disposal of the most radioactive nuclear waste in Bure, Meuse. The projected cost now ranges between €26.1bn ($28.1bn) and €37.5bn ($40.4bn), compared to an initial estimate of €25bn ($27bn) set in 2016, Connaissance des Énergies reported with AFP on May 12.

A 150-year projection including construction and closure

This new estimate covers the entire project expenditure over a period of more than 150 years, including construction costs between €7.9bn and €9.6bn ($8.5bn to $10.3bn), maintenance, taxes, insurance, and site closure by around 2170. Andra stated that this revision is based on four distinct scenarios reflecting different fiscal and technical assumptions. The variation can reach €7.4bn ($8bn) depending on the selected configuration.

Acting Director General of Andra, Gaëlle Saquet, told AFP the estimate remains “broadly controlled”, recalling the 2014 estimate of €33.8bn ($36.4bn). The updated figure includes additional costs linked to extended design studies and insights from comparable projects, such as the Grand Paris Express metro.

Optimisation opportunities and scope uncertainties

The public agency has nonetheless identified potential technical savings of up to €3.6bn ($3.9bn), through improvements such as extending the storage cells and using more efficient materials. These adjustments would reduce the number of galleries needed in the selected clay formation.

Andra noted that the estimate does not include waste from the six EPR2 reactors announced in 2022, which have not yet been authorised. However, a “reserve inventory” has been considered, accounting for a possible 5% increase in long-lived waste and 20% in high-level waste, should these reactors be built.

Government decision expected by end of 2025

The reference cost will be set by ministerial decree by the end of 2025, after consulting the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection, ASNR) and the main waste producers. Andra aims to obtain project authorisation between late 2027 and early 2028.

The actual storage of waste in nearly one thousand underground cells is scheduled to begin in 2050, a significant delay from the initial timeline of 2035–2040.

  • Populaires ​
Airbus selects ENGIE to decarbonise 22 industrial sites across Europe
Octopus Energy launches $60 million fund for African energy
TerraPower raises $650 million with NVIDIA for modular reactors
Saint-Nazaire selects Dalkia for its 90% renewable heating network
EMBER: Solar with batteries becomes profitable in the world’s sunniest regions
France: Anne-Isabelle Étienvre Proposed by Élysée to Head the CEA
The Élysée proposes Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, current Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, as General Administrator to replace François Jacq, recently appointed President of CNES.
Greece Considers Modular Reactors to Decarbonize its Maritime Industry
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced his country's interest in small modular nuclear reactors to meet national energy challenges and decarbonize the maritime sector within the next fifteen years.
EDF and the French State Agree on €70 Billion Plan for EPR2
EDF and the French state finalize a €70 billion financing plan for six EPR2 nuclear reactors, including a specific territorial coordination framework in Gravelines led by Michel Marbaix, awaiting European approval by 2026.
Newcleo and Nextchem launch joint venture focused on modular nuclear reactors
Maire S.p.A and Newcleo form strategic partnership to industrialise the development of 200 MW modular nuclear power plants, via a joint venture majority-owned by Nextchem.
Four European organisations join forces to develop innovative nuclear reactor
A new European consortium launches the design of a small lead-cooled modular reactor, targeting global commercialisation by 2039, with a demonstration scheduled as early as 2035.
Iran Nuclear: An acknowledged capability long kept quiet
Confidential reports from the IAEA and multiple intelligence agencies confirm Iran's uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels, contradicting Tehran's official statements. EnergyNews.pro retraces the evolution of Iran's nuclear program since 2015, three years before the Trump administration's withdrawal from the nuclear agreement.
Uranium price surges 9% following major fund raise
Uranium spot price hits its highest level of 2025 following a significant fundraising announcement by a specialized Canadian investment fund, prompting vigorous trading and strong reactions in the international market.
Slovakia close to deal with Westinghouse for nuclear reactor construction
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced being close to an intergovernmental agreement with Washington for Westinghouse to build a 1,250-megawatt nuclear reactor at the Jaslovske Bohunice site.
Micro-cracks at Civaux: EDF ensures limited impact on nuclear production
EDF confirms two micro-cracks on reactor number 2 at Civaux, caused by corrosion and thermal fatigue, resulting in a minor delay in restart without threat to overall production.
Indonesia and Russia strengthen strategic partnership on civil nuclear energy
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will meet Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg this week to discuss civil nuclear cooperation, defence, and security, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral economic and strategic relations.
Nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhya compromised by prolonged conflict in Ukraine
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant remains immobilised by armed conflict, dependent on a single fragile power line and groundwater wells to cool its reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Russia Proposes Converting Iranian Nuclear Excess into Energy Fuel
Russia declares itself ready to retrieve and transform Iran’s excess nuclear materials into fuel, a proposal aimed at easing tense nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Rosatom claims USD 2.9 billion from Finland’s Fortum and Outokumpu
The Moscow Arbitration Court postpones by nine months the trial initiated by Rosatom against Fortum and Outokumpu, seeking nearly three billion dollars following the controversial cancellation of a nuclear project in Finland.
Newcleo enters UK nuclear assessment with lead-cooled modular reactor
The UK regulator has accepted to examine Newcleo’s advanced LFR-AS-200 reactor, marking a first for a modular lead-cooled technology in the country.
Framatome acquires 40% of Selectarc to secure strategic metal supply
Framatome strengthens its control over the nuclear supply chain by acquiring a 40% stake in Selectarc, France’s sole producer of welding filler metals.
Rolls-Royce SMR selected to develop UK’s first modular nuclear reactors
The UK government has selected Rolls-Royce SMR to lead the deployment of small modular reactors, aiming to secure 24 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050.
Orano launches Project IKE with Oak Ridge office to enrich uranium in the United States
Orano USA has opened a new office in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to lead the development of a uranium enrichment facility, marking one of the largest industrial investments in the state’s history.
AtkinsRéalis and EDF strengthen cooperation to accelerate global nuclear projects
AtkinsRéalis and EDF signed a strategic agreement to integrate their expertise in nuclear engineering, equipment and waste management, while preserving each country’s technological sovereignty.
UK Unlocks £14 Billion for Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station
The British government officially commits £14.2 billion to develop two EPR nuclear reactors in eastern England, in strategic partnership with the French group EDF, with a final investment decision expected shortly.
Iran accused of illegally obtaining IAEA internal documents
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that confidential documents were acquired by Iran, raising concerns about the country’s cooperation with the agency.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING

Welcome

Your subscription

Included in this subscription:

COMMUNICATE ON ENERGYNEWS