SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Nuclear safety in France: IRSN sounds the alarm

IRSN's Board of Directors is sounding the alarm about the risks of abolishing the institute in a government reorganization project. The unions fear for nuclear safety in the event of the departure of staff and for France's capacity for expertise in this field.

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 Board of Directors of the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) voted on Thursday for a motion warning of the risk of “paralysis” of nuclear safety that would be posed by the abolition of the institute planned in a government reorganization project. According to the inter-union of the institute, the motion was voted by a very large majority (18 votes for, 4 against, 2 abstentions). The unions fear the end of the “dual” structure of the French safety system (ASN/IRSN), and some see it as a way of bringing the institute into line. They also fear that the research branch of IRSN, which provided expertise, will be transferred to the CEA.

 

The government wants to abolish the IRSN

On February 8, the government announced its intention to abolish the IRSN, a watchdog and expert on radiological risk, in order to “make the examination process more fluid”. The experts and scientists would join the teams of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).

 

A “diaspora” of IRSN experts

A “diaspora” of IRSN experts “would have the consequence of depriving France of its research and expertise capacity at a crucial time marked by the challenges of extending the life of existing reactors and the creation of new generation reactors,” the motion emphasizes. The Board of Directors also reminds the government in this motion of the role of IRSN in “the protection of workers, the population and the environment against ionizing radiation with a broad spectrum, crisis management and post-accident situations, and the uses of radioactivity in the industrial, medical and military fields”.

The unions intend to share their fears with the Minister of Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher, who is due to meet with them late Friday. On Monday, they plan to come back a little more numerous, in order to demonstrate under the windows of the ministry, with the employees on strike that day.

 

A first recognition

If this motion has a “symbolic significance”, with regard to the composition of the Board of Directors, “it means that representatives of the State have voted for this resolution”, according to the inter-union, which sees it as “a first recognition of what we defend”.

 

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Two tankers targeted in the Black Sea, Ankara warns over maritime security
France: the CRE launches a transitional mechanism to regulate suppliers
Hydrocop lève €182mn pour moderniser son parc hydroélectrique en France
AfDB grants $7.41mn to Liberia to complete hydroelectric power plant
Baghdad invites US companies to replace Lukoil on West Qurna 2
China completes modular construction of Xudabao 4 passive tank
The VVER-1200 nuclear reactor at Xudabao 4 in China has completed installation of its final passive water tank, marking the end of modular construction for the second phase of the project.
Canada and Alberta agree on joint nuclear strategy by 2027
Ottawa and Edmonton commit to a nuclear production roadmap by 2050, through a memorandum of understanding also covering carbon capture and an Indigenous-led pipeline project.
Niger challenges Orano by launching its uranium production on the international market
Niamey asserts control over its uranium resources by authorising open market sales of Somaïr’s production, formerly operated by France’s Orano, amid ongoing legal disputes.
Equinix secures 500 MWe nuclear supply from Stellaria for AI data centres
Equinix has signed a strategic agreement with French start-up Stellaria to reserve 500 MWe of advanced nuclear capacity to power its future European AI data centres starting in 2035.
Kyrgyzstan bets on a Russian small modular reactor to solve its energy crisis
Bishkek plans to host a RITM-200N small modular reactor supplied by Rosatom to address electricity shortages and deepen energy ties with Moscow, despite the risks posed by Western sanctions.
TEPCO could restart Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant as early as January
The Niigata prefectural assembly will vote on the restart of Unit 6, potentially marking TEPCO’s first reactor relaunch since the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Norway launches cross-border consultation on nuclear power plant project
The Norwegian government has initiated a consultation with neighbouring countries on its modular nuclear power plant project in Aure and Heim, in accordance with the Espoo Convention.
TÜNAŞ and KEPCO sign deal to accelerate nuclear development in Türkiye
Türkiye and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly explore nuclear power plant projects, marking a strategic step in the long-term development of Türkiye's energy infrastructure.
Asian Development Bank opens nuclear energy financing to developing countries
Asian Development Bank has amended its energy policy to enable funding for civil nuclear projects in developing member countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
First Hydrogen launches project on molten-salt fuels for small modular reactors
First Hydrogen begins research with the University of Alberta to identify molten-salt mixtures simulating nuclear fuels for SMR prototypes.
Framatome delivers first nuclear fuel assemblies for Barakah
Framatome has completed the manufacturing of the first nuclear fuel assemblies for the Barakah power plant, marking a key milestone in the supply agreement signed with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company in July.
UK launches radical overhaul of nuclear regulation system
A government-commissioned report proposes 47 measures to simplify nuclear regulation, reduce decommissioning costs and accelerate delivery of civilian and military projects.
Zhangzhou’s second reactor delivers first kilowatt-hours to the grid
The Hualong One reactor at Zhangzhou nuclear power plant has been connected to the grid, marking a major milestone in the expansion of China’s civilian nuclear programme.
Rosatom receives approval to 3D-print SMR components
Russian state nuclear group Rosatom has validated the additive manufacturing of parts for its small modular reactors, marking an industrial first for RITM-200 SMR plant equipment.
Maritime Fusion raises $4.5mn to bring fusion energy to commercial ships
California-based Maritime Fusion, backed by Y Combinator and Trucks VC, is betting on a decentralised approach to fusion to target maritime and off-grid applications.
Bayridge Resources acquires 51% of Baker Lake uranium project in Nunavut
Bayridge Resources secures a majority stake in an advanced uranium project in Canada, strengthening its strategic presence in a geologically promising region.
Over 15,000 tonnes of recycled concrete from Sizewell A reinjected into Sizewell C
A significant volume of concrete from the dismantling of the Sizewell A nuclear power plant is being transferred to support the foundations of the Sizewell C project, under a partnership between UK nuclear sector stakeholders.
KEPCO and ENEC strengthen alliance on nuclear and artificial intelligence
Korean group KEPCO and UAE-based ENEC have signed two memorandums of understanding to expand their cooperation in civil nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies targeting new international markets.
US Army selects nine bases for future deployment of nuclear microreactors
The Janus programme will deploy micro nuclear power plants across nine military bases to reinforce energy autonomy for critical U.S. Army installations.
Lightbridge launches irradiation testing of its fuel alloy in the United States
The Idaho National Laboratory has started irradiation testing on uranium-zirconium fuel samples from Lightbridge in its experimental reactor, marking a key step toward the industrial validation of advanced nuclear fuel.

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.