on Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection - Energie EDF

MY VIEW OF 2012
01/ MY VIEW OF 2012
AN EVOLVING CONTEXT
2012 was marked by the aftermath of the Fukushima
accident. Beyond some changes in nuclear policy in some
European countries, 2012 was a year of transformation
and development in the nuclear industry worldwide. Most
countries have confirmed that they will be continuing
with their nuclear programmes, with the exceptions of
Germany and Italy, as well as possibly Switzerland and
Belgium where reactors have been and will be taken
out of service early on political grounds. No less than
sixty reactors are currently under construction, some by
countries which are entering the industry for the first
time. The United Kingdom, where the EDF Group is firmly
established, is continuing its nuclear revival.
The year 2012 was also a year rich in international exchanges
to disseminate the lessons learned from the Fukushima
accident and to consolidate operator commitments. The
effects of the accident have been perceptible everywhere
and even if no immediate emergency measures needed to
be taken, the response (underway or pending) has varied
substantially from one country to another, depending
on the views of the different nuclear safety authorities,
governments and operators. The stance of each country
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT
ON NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION
Chinon nuclear power plant
reflects the history of its energy needs, its public opinion
and policy considerations. Despite the commendable
harmonisation work that has taken place in Europe via
WENRA (West European Nuclear Regulators Association)
and ENSREG (European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group),
acting as forums for the nuclear safety authorities of the
European Union member states, the response has mainly
been a national matter.
In France, the recently announced early closure of
Fessenheim Nuclear Power Plant in 2016 has been a
source of incomprehension and even apprehension,
considering the first reactor had just been authorised by
the ASN to operate for up to forty years. This has been a
serious concern first and foremost for the plant staff. I will
be focusing on this issue. This needs to be considered in
the light of debate on the energy transition and energy
policy reviews of France’s neighbouring countries. I am
also interested in the ability of the company to provide
funding to preserve its assets and improve safety levels in
the future.
In Europe, the United Kingdom has made a firm
commitment to nuclear power in its energy policy. In
December 2012, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
granted EDF Energy a site license allowing the NNB
5