France: National Assembly gives green light to ASN-IRSN merger

The French National Assembly approves the merger of ASN and IRSN to strengthen nuclear safety, despite strong opposition and concerns about independence and transparency.

Share:

Fusion ASN - IRSN vote

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25£/month*

*billed annually at 99£/year for the first year then 149,00£/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2£/month*
then 14.90£ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

On Tuesday evening, the French National Assembly voted 206 to 117 in favor of the article authorizing the merger of ASN and IRSN. This step is part of the nuclear safety bill, which has given rise to lively debate. The vote took place after a suspension and several points of order, testifying to the electric atmosphere. The presidential majority, supported by the RN as well as some members of the LR, finally obtained a favorable vote.

Creation of ASNR

The new body, the Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (ASNR), will come into being on January 1, 2025. The aim of this merger is to unify IRSN’s technical expertise and ASN’s regulatory role, as part of a plan to revitalize the nuclear industry. The government’s aim is to simplify the current system, speeding up appraisal, authorization and control procedures.

Opposition and criticism

IRSN and ASN trade unions, as well as environmental associations, have voiced their opposition to this reform. They fear disorganization, loss of expert independence and reduced transparency. An open letter from the unions to MPs stressed the importance of nuclear safety and public protection, irrespective of positions on nuclear power.

Political reaction and debate

Voices have been raised against the way in which the merger was adopted, criticizing in particular the reversal of the RN, which had previously opposed the merger. Environmentalists and some independents denounce the “dismantling” of IRSN. This merger has been a recurring issue for the government, already rejected by a coalition of opponents the previous year.

The challenges of fusion for nuclear safety

Industry Minister Roland Lescure defends the merger as a way of making processes more efficient. The latter presents this merger as a natural evolution in the collaboration between ASN and IRSN, which is seen as essential for strengthening the governance of nuclear and radiological risks in a context of renewed interest in the atom.

The adoption of the ASN-IRSN merger by the French National Assembly marks an important step in the reorganization of French nuclear safety. This measure can be seen as an improvement in the effectiveness of controls and expert appraisals in the nuclear sector, while at the same time raising questions about the future of independence and transparency in this critical area.

Cameco and Brookfield have signed a strategic agreement with the US government to build new Westinghouse reactors, a project valued at a minimum of $80bn, including an unprecedented public participation mechanism.
Talks are underway between Astana and Helsinki to consider the delivery of Kazakh uranium for Finnish nuclear power plants, amid efforts to diversify energy export markets.
NextEra Energy announces an agreement with Google to restart a nuclear plant in Iowa, with operations expected to resume as early as 2029 and full site ownership secured.
The environmental review of TerraPower’s Natrium project in Wyoming has been completed, paving the way for a construction permit for this advanced nuclear reactor.
Santee Cooper has selected Brookfield Asset Management to lead a feasibility study aimed at completing two unfinished AP1000 reactors, without relying on public funds or raising consumer rates.
Endesa, Iberdrola and Naturgy have officially requested the Spanish government to delay the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for 2028, reigniting the debate on nuclear power's role in the national energy mix.
The reactor vessel for Unit 1 at Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear plant has been delivered following a 20-day maritime transport from Saint Petersburg, marking a critical milestone in the country’s energy project.
Ontario Power Generation secures CAD3bn ($2.1bn) in public equity financing to construct four modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to ease private sector entry into next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
French developer Newcleo launches a joint venture with Nextchem through a EUR70 mn contract to design the conventional island of its upcoming 200 MW modular nuclear reactors.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its North American strategy by acquiring Global First Power in Canada, securing regulatory rights for its KRONOS MMR™ project at Chalk River.
South Korea becomes the first country to submit a safeguards technical report to the IAEA for a small modular reactor, setting a precedent for early integration of non-proliferation requirements in nuclear design.
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.
US-based developer Last Energy will deploy its first domestic microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, marking a strategic step in the advanced modular reactor race.
PGE acquires ZE PAK's stake in the joint venture responsible for developing Poland’s second nuclear site, consolidating a strategic asset within its energy portfolio.
Amazon unveils new visuals of its upcoming nuclear site, marking a key step in its partnership with X-energy to deploy up to 960 MW of modular nuclear capacity in Washington state.
Canadian uranium producer NexGen Energy has completed a A$1bn ($639mn) equity raise split between North American and Australian markets to support the development of its Rook I project.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.
The formal expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran comes as international sanctions have already been reinstated and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Oklo, newcleo and Blykalla partner to develop advanced nuclear fuel infrastructure in the United States, backed by a planned $2bn investment.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25£/month*

*billed annually at 99£/year for the first year then 149,00£/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2£/month*
then 14.90£ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.