S'abonner

The merger of IRSN and ASN in France raises concerns

The French government has announced the merger of the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) and the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) to streamline the nuclear safety review process. However, this decision has raised concerns about France's nuclear safety.

Share:

The French government has announced its decision to dissolve the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) and merge its teams with the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), with the aim of “streamlining the review process” in the area of nuclear safety. This decision has raised questions among parliamentarians and stakeholders in the exchanges. Critics have pointed out the risks of loss of competence, insufficient integration of research, disruption of safety standards, and lack of understanding of the nuclear safety organization.

 

The French government believes that the merger of IRSN and ASN will allow better management of emergency situations

According to Bernard Doroszczuk, the merger of IRSN and ASN will allow better management of emergency situations by eliminating communication problems between the two organizations. He pointed out that the current system, where IRSN establishes a diagnosis that is then transmitted to ASN, which is in contact with the government, is too slow to respond effectively to emergency situations.

 

Critics point to risks of loss of competence and disruption of safety standards

Critics have pointed out the risks of loss of competence in nuclear safety. Jean-Christophe Niel, IRSN’s Director General, warned against the “loss of competence” that would result, stating that this reform could have negative effects on safety and radiation protection. The president of the ASN tried to reassure critics by saying that the “best things” of both organizations would be kept.

Critics also expressed concern about disrupting safety standards. Claude Birraux, former president of the Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices (OPECST), warned that this reform could represent “a 40-year setback” in the organization of nuclear safety, due to the insufficient integration of research. The president of the CLI, Jean-Claude Delalonde, fears the weakening of nuclear safety as a common good. Bernard Salha, EDF’s RD Director, supports the CEA’s mobilization for research. The ASN is trying to reassure that the best things on both sides will be kept, but some experts are calling for caution because nuclear safety is at stake, especially if a nuclear program is launched on a changing system that is not yet stabilized.

  • Populaires ​
Carbon2Nature and Uría Menéndez launch reforestation of 90 hectares in Salamanca
MN8 Energy raises $575mn with Natixis CIB to strengthen its US solar debt
TNB, Petronas and Terengganu Inc launch green hydrogen hub and hybrid solar in Malaysia
Occidental Petroleum reduces production in the Gulf of Mexico in the second quarter
Azule Energy announces major offshore gas discovery in the Angolan Congo Basin
Trump mobilises USD92bn in private investment for AI and electricity in the United States
Nearly USD92bn will be invested by major American and international groups in new data centres and energy infrastructure, responding to the surge in electricity demand linked to the rise of artificial intelligence.
Outages in Nouakchott expose weaknesses in Mauritania’s power grid
Nouakchott has endured lengthy power interruptions for several weeks, highlighting the financial and technical limits of the Mauritanian Electricity Company as Mauritania aims to widen access and green its mix by 2030.
Multilateral climate funds redirect energy finance towards emerging markets
Between 2015 and 2024, four multilateral climate funds committed nearly eight bn USD to clean energy, attracting private capital through concessional terms while Africa and Asia absorbed more than half of the volume.
Governments extend their stockpiles to cover 98 % of global oil
The Global Energy Policies Hub shows that strategic reserves, gas obligations, cybersecurity and critical-mineral policies are expanding rapidly, lifting oil coverage to 98 % of world imports.
Chinese trade-in programme cuts air-conditioning bills by $943mn
According to a report by Ember, the Chinese government’s appliance trade-in campaign could double residential air-conditioner efficiency gains in 2025 and trim up to USD943mn from household electricity spending this year.
Washington considers tariffs on solar-grade silicon and drones
Washington is examining sectoral taxes on polysilicon and drones, two supply chains dominated by China, after triggering Section 232 to measure industrial dependency risks.
Terna plans EUR3.5bn investment to modernise Sicily’s electricity grid by 2034
The 2025-2034 development plan presented by Terna includes strengthening Sicily’s grid, new interconnections, and major projects to support the region’s growing renewable energy capacity.
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo sign strategic agreement for European energy integration
Terna and NPC Ukrenergo have concluded a three-year partnership in Rome aimed at strengthening the integration of the Ukrainian grid into the pan-European system, with an in-depth exchange of technological and regulatory expertise.
GE Vernova modernises TransnetBW’s key cross-border power hub in Germany
GE Vernova has secured a major contract to modernise the Kühmoos substation in Germany, enhancing grid reliability and integration capacity for power flows between Germany, France and Switzerland.
Britain anticipates massive surge in electricity demand by 2050
The National Energy System Operator forecasts electricity demand to rise to 785 TWh by 2050, underlining the need to modernise grids and integrate more clean energy to support the UK’s energy transition.
Terna secures €1bn in guarantees with SACE and EIB for Adriatic Link project
Terna has signed a guarantee agreement with SACE and the European Investment Bank to finance the Adriatic Link project, totalling approximately €1bn ($1.08bn) and validated as a major transaction under Italian regulations.
India reforms oil contracts to attract more international investors
India unveils a series of reforms on oil and gas contracts, introducing a fiscal stability clause to enhance the sector’s attractiveness for foreign companies and boost its growth ambitions in upstream energy.
The European Union commits EUR2.3bn to accelerate Ukraine’s energy reconstruction
The European Commission is launching a special fund of EUR2.3bn ($2.5bn) to boost Ukraine’s reconstruction and attract private capital to the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Asia accounts for 71% of new renewable capacity, Africa remains marginalised
Asia dominated global new renewable energy capacity in 2024 with 71% of installations, while Africa recorded limited growth of only 7.2%, according to the latest annual report from IRENA.
Trump law reshapes US energy markets according to Wood Mackenzie
US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act dramatically changes energy investment rules, imposing restrictions on renewables while favouring hydrocarbons, according to a recent report by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie.
The French Senate adopts the Gremillet bill for energy transition
On July 8, 2025, the Senate validated the Gremillet bill, aimed at structuring France's energy transition with clear objectives for nuclear power, renewable energies, and energy renovation.
Latin America’s six largest economies accelerate transition to renewables
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Peru significantly increase renewable electricity production, reaching nearly 70% of the regional electricity mix, according to a recent Wood Mackenzie study on Latin America's energy sector.
Canada funds 13 Indigenous energy projects with $40mn investment
The Canadian government announces an investment of more than $40mn to fund 13 energy projects led by Indigenous communities across the country, aiming to improve energy efficiency and increase local renewable energy use.
Germany extends electricity price aid to 2,200 companies
The German Ministry of Economy plans to significantly expand aid aimed at reducing industrial electricity costs, increasing eligible companies from 350 to 2,200, at an estimated cost of €4bn ($4.7bn).
Czech Republic hit by massive power outage disrupting the economy
A major electricity blackout paralyzed large parts of the Czech Republic, interrupting transport and essential networks, raising immediate economic concerns, and highlighting the vulnerability of energy infrastructures to unforeseen technical incidents.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING