Lifetime extensions a key element of president Macron’s plans to revive industry
Unit 1 of the Tricastin nuclear power station in southern France can operate for a further 10 years, making it the first French power reactor licensed to operate beyond 40 years.
France’s nuclear safety regulator ASN set the conditions for the continued operation of state-owned power company EDF’s 900 MW reactors beyond 40 years in 2021. It said measures planned by EDF combined with those prescribed by ASN will ensure the safety of the units for a further 10 years of operation.
The improvements and measures will be applied to each reactor individually during their fourth periodic safety reviews, scheduled to run until 2031.
For the periodic safety review of Tricastin-1, which began commercial operation in December 1980, EDF took into account the specifics of the reactor and its site and the results of inspections.
ASN said the safety improvements planned by EDF were the subject of a public inquiry from 13 January to 14 February.
Macron Sees Extensions As Crucial
EDF operates three pressurised water reactor designs of 900 MW, 1,300 MW and 1,450 MW. Its 32 operating 900 MW reactors came into commercial operation between 1977 and 1988 and include the oldest units the country’s current nuclear fleet. These reactors are in operation at the Blayais, Bugey, Chinon, Cruas-Meysse, Dampierre, Gravelines, Saint-Laurent and Tricastin nuclear power stations.
Lifetime extensions of existing nuclear plants are a key element of president Emmanuel Macron’s plans, announced in February 2022, for a “rebirth” of France’s nuclear industry.
France has chosen Penly and Gravelines in northern France and Bugey in eastern France as sites for two new EPR2 reactors each, a construction programme of six units in total that will cost an estimated €52bn ($58.2bn).
In July, EDF filed an application to build the first pair of EPR2 nuclear power plants at Penly.
France’s share of generation from its fleet of 56 nuclear plants is about 70% – the highest in the world – but was 63% in 2022 due to the shutdowns of several plants because of problems with piping corrosion.
