SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Nuclear bill: IRSN soon to be absorbed by ASN?

The deputies of the Economic Affairs Commission have approved the government's controversial plan to merge the Institute for Nuclear Safety (IRSN) into the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).

Share:

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

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

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

The nuclear acceleration bill was examined in the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on Monday evening. The text provides for the merger of the Institute in charge of nuclear safety (IRSN) with the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), which has given rise to contrasting reactions.

The government wants to unite the two entities under a single public banner in order to strengthen nuclear safety policy and adopt the most protective status for both organizations. The Minister of Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, stressed that “safeguards” will be put in place to take into account the challenges.

Amendments validated in committee

Several amendments were validated by the deputies of the Economic Affairs Committee. The Macronist rapporteur, Maud Bregeon, proposed a sub-amendment that states that the ASN must separate the expertise process from the opinions and decisions deliberated by its college, a recommendation of the Parliamentary Office for Scientific Choices (Opecst). However, the left-wing opposition criticized the reform as “hasty and brutal”, while the environmentalist Julie Laernoes denounced “a destruction in four weeks of the internationally recognized dual safety system”.

IRSN employees on strike

IRSN employees are also unhappy. The latter provide independent scientific advice on the condition of nuclear power plants. They will be on strike for the third time in a month on March 13 to protest against the disappearance of their institute. Nearly 600 of the IRSN’s 1,700 employees participated in the two previous strikes organized since the government’s surprise announcement to dismantle their institute.

Former Opecst presidents warn against the project

Three former presidents of the Parliamentary Office for Scientific Choices (Opecst), including the mathematician Cédric Villani, have warned against the proposed merger between IRSN and ASN. They described this project as a “dangerous technocratic drift” that risks “paralyzing safety”.

The bill will be voted on in the House of Representatives next Monday.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
EDP signs PPA with Carrefour for 50 GWh of energy in Poland
Citgo shifts under Elliott control for $5.9bn pending U.S. approval
Ecoplexus secures $300mn financing to accelerate US solar projects
Terra-Gen secures $383.3mn for Lockhart III & IV solar project in California
EDF considers selling its US renewables to finance domestic nuclear programme
Power outages in the United States reach record 11 hours per customer in 2024
Hurricanes Beryl, Helene and Milton accounted for 80% of electricity outages recorded in 2024, marking a ten-year high according to federal data.
France: the CRE launches a transitional mechanism to regulate suppliers
The French Energy Regulatory Commission introduces a temporary prudential control on gas and electricity suppliers through a “guichet à blanc” opening in December, pending the transposition of European rules.
Carney and Smith unlock pipeline to Asia and amend tanker ban law
The Carney–Smith agreement launches a new pipeline to Asia, removes oil and gas emission caps, and initiates reform of the Pacific north coast tanker ban.
Post-CfD renewable assets expose investors to increased market risk
The gradual exit from CfD contracts is turning stable assets into infrastructures exposed to higher volatility, challenging expected returns and traditional financing models for the renewable sector.
Canada reforms Energy Efficiency Act to align policy with digital markets
The Canadian government introduces major legislative changes to the Energy Efficiency Act to support its national strategy and adapt to the realities of digital commerce.
Quebec maintains sole carbon price at the pump despite federal tax repeal
Quebec becomes the only Canadian province where a carbon price still applies directly to fuels, as Ottawa eliminated the public-facing carbon tax in April 2025.
India invests $872mn to locally produce rare earth permanent magnets
New Delhi launches a 72.8 bn INR incentive plan to build a 6,000-tonne domestic capacity for permanent magnets, amid rising Chinese export restrictions on critical components.
Long-term contracts reshape electricity market risk over 30 years amid volatility
The rise of CfDs, PPAs and capacity mechanisms signals a structural shift: markets alone no longer cover 10–30-year financing needs, while spot prices have surged 400% in Europe since 2019.
Berlin plans to acquire 25.1% of TenneT Germany by early 2026
Germany plans to finalise the €5.8bn ($6.34bn) purchase of a 25.1% stake in TenneT Germany to strengthen its control over critical national power grid infrastructure.
Ghana restructures its power sector around domestic gas to contain deficit
The Ghanaian government is implementing a reform of its energy system focused on increasing the use of local natural gas, aiming to reduce electricity production costs and limit the sector's financial imbalance.
Suriname targets 220,000 barrels per day in oil strategy by 2028
On the 50th anniversary of its independence, Suriname announced a national roadmap including major public investment to develop its offshore oil reserves.
South Korea under pressure from the IEA to liberalise its electricity market
In its latest review, the International Energy Agency warns of structural blockages in South Korea’s electricity market, calling for urgent reforms to close the gap on renewables and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.
China’s installed power capacity reaches 3.75 bn kW, up 17.3 %
China's power generation capacity recorded strong growth in October, driven by continued expansion of solar and wind, according to official data from the National Energy Administration.
Trump revives US offshore with 34 lease sales planned between 2026 and 2031
The 2026–2031 offshore programme proposes opening over one billion acres to oil exploration, triggering a regulatory clash between Washington, coastal states and legal advocacy groups.
The Mozambique centralises its gas infrastructure to secure the Beira–Rompco corridor
The government of Mozambique is consolidating its gas transport and regasification assets under a public vehicle, anchoring the strategic Beira–Rompco corridor to support Rovuma projects and respond to South Africa’s gas dependency.
NESO launches national consultation to plan regional energy infrastructure
The British system operator NESO initiates a consultation process to define the methodology of eleven upcoming regional strategic plans aimed at coordinating energy needs across England, Scotland and Wales.
COP30 locks in adaptation, avoids fossil phase-out and opens a climate regulatory front
The Belém summit ends with a technical compromise prioritising forest investment and adaptation, while avoiding fossil fuel discussions and opening a climate–trade dialogue likely to trigger new regulatory disputes.
Asian Development Bank commits $700mn to support Kyrgyz Republic’s energy strategy
The Asian Development Bank and the Kyrgyz Republic have signed a financing agreement to strengthen energy infrastructure, climate resilience and regional connectivity, with over $700mn committed through 2027.
UK urged to choose between carbon capture and aviation fuels
A study from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies finds that energy-from-waste with carbon capture delivers nearly twice the climate benefit of converting waste into aviation fuel.
Sipperec renews electricity concession contract with EDF and Enedis
Signed for 25 years, the new concession contract between Sipperec, EDF and Enedis covers 87 municipalities in the Île-de-France region and commits the parties to managing and developing the public electricity distribution network until 2051.

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

START - 99$/year

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.