France: IRSN reform worries experts

The French government plans to merge the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) with other organizations. This decision raises questions about the fate of French expertise in nuclear safety. IRSN employees will be divided between the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), which is responsible for regulating the sector, and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). However, this decision is causing concern and the IRSN staff unions are calling for a strike on February 20.

Partagez:

The French government plans to merge the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) with other organizations. This decision raises questions about the fate of French expertise in nuclear safety. The government wants to launch a construction program of six to fourteen reactors and meet the deadlines. IRSN employees will be divided between the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), which is responsible for regulating the sector, and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). However, this decision is causing concern and the IRSN staff unions are calling for a strike on February 20.

 

A reform to “go faster

The French government has announced the merger of IRSN with other organizations in order to “strengthen the ASN”. Experts believe that this decision was taken to “go faster” in the context of a construction program of six to fourteen reactors. The Ministry of Energy Transition stated that this was not a criticism of IRSN’s work, but rather a desire to strengthen ASN.

 

Concerns about the independence and quality of expertise

Experts believe that the decision to merge IRSN with other organizations raises concerns about the independence and quality of expertise. IRSN employees have acquired know-how that is recognized in France and abroad. Merging with other organizations could result in the loss of this expertise. The IRSN staff unions called for a strike on February 20 to protest this decision.

 

A questioning of the independence of research

The merger of IRSN with other organizations raises questions about the independence of research. Experts believe that the ancestors of the IRSN gradually emancipated themselves from the CEA after the Chernobyl accident. The IRSN monitors the level of radioactivity in France and in neighboring countries on a daily basis, and informs the public in the event of a nuclear event. The CGT of the IRSN wonders about the management of a possible nuclear accident in which the IRSN would play “an important role” today. Discussions on the reform are just beginning and the department estimates that it will take a year to a year and a half to implement.

In April 2025, fossil fuels represented 49.5% of South Korea's electricity mix, dropping below the symbolic threshold of 50% for the first time, primarily due to a historic decline in coal-generated electricity production.
The US Senate Finance Committee modifies the '45Z' tax credit to standardize the tax treatment of renewable fuels, thereby encouraging advanced biofuel production starting October 2025.
According to the 2025 report on global energy access, despite notable progress in renewable energy, insufficient targeted financing continues to hinder electricity and clean cooking access, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
The UK's Climate Change Committee is urging the government to quickly reduce electricity costs to facilitate the adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles, judged too slow to achieve the set climate targets.
The European Commission will extend until the end of 2030 an expanded state-aid framework, allowing capitals to fund low-carbon technologies and nuclear power to preserve competitiveness against China and the United States.
Japan's grid operator forecasts an energy shortfall of up to 89 GW by 2050 due to rising demand from semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Energy-intensive European industries will be eligible for temporary state aid to mitigate high electricity prices, according to a new regulatory framework proposed by the European Commission under the "Clean Industrial Deal."
Mauritius seeks international investors to swiftly build a floating power plant of around 100 MW, aiming to secure the national energy supply by January 2026 and address current production shortfalls.
Madrid announces immediate energy storage measures while Lisbon secures its electrical grid, responding to the historic outage that affected the entire Iberian Peninsula in late April.
Indonesia has unveiled its new national energy plan, projecting an increase of 69.5 GW in electricity capacity over ten years, largely funded by independent producers, to address rapidly rising domestic demand.
French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher condemns the parliamentary moratorium on new renewable energy installations, warning of the potential loss of 150,000 industrial jobs and increased energy dependence on foreign countries.
The European battery regulation, fully effective from August 18, significantly alters industrial requirements related to electric cars and bicycles, imposing strict rules on recycling, supply chains, and transparency for companies.
The European Parliament calls on the Commission to strengthen energy infrastructure and accelerate the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal to enhance the continent's energy flexibility and security amid increased market volatility.
The European Commission unveils an ambitious plan to modernize electricity grids and introduces the Clean Industrial Deal, mobilizing hundreds of billions of euros to strengthen the continent's industrial and energy autonomy.
In the United States, regulated electric grid operators hold a decisive advantage in connecting new data centres to the grid, now representing 134 GW of projects, according to a Wood Mackenzie report published on June 19.
The French National Assembly approves a specific target of 200 TWh renewable electricity production by 2030 within a legislative text extensively debated about the future national energy mix.
In 2024, US CO₂ emissions remain stable at 5.1bn tonnes, as the Trump administration prepares hydrocarbon-friendly energy policies, raising questions about the future evolution of the American market.
The early publication of France's energy decree triggers strong parliamentary reactions, as the government aims to rapidly secure investments in nuclear and other energy sectors.
Seven weeks after the major Iberian power outage, Spain identifies technical network failures, while the European Investment Bank approves major funding to strengthen the interconnection with France.
The European Union has announced a detailed schedule aiming to definitively halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, anticipating internal legal and commercial challenges to overcome.