France to address Luxembourg concerns about French nuclear safety

By Geert De Clercq

PARIS -French nuclear regulator ASN has provided to debate the Luxembourg authorities`s issues in regards to the security of a nuclear plant close to the French-Luxembourg border at a gathering in June, the ASN stated in a letter seen by Reuters, after corrosion issues have been present in some reactors elsewhere.

The letter, dated April 21, is in response to a Jan. 19 letter from the Luxembourg authorities, seen by Reuters, by which the Luxembourg vitality and atmosphere ministers categorical concern in regards to the security of the Cattenom nuclear plant, which is about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) from the border and 25 kilometres from the Luxemborg capital.

In March, EDF halted one of many 4 reactors in Cattenom – reactor 3 – for security inspections following the detection of corrosion issues on related reactors elsewhere. ASN stated reactors 1 and a pair of had confirmed no issues over the last main inspection and stated EDF was presently investigating Cattenom 4.

Of their Jan. 19 letter, Luxembourg Vitality Minister Claude Turmes and Setting Minister Carole Dieschbourg requested the ASN to what extent technical issues at nuclear reactors near the border can pose a safety risk to the Duchy.

They requested whether or not the Cattenom reactors are affected by the corrosion issues found at different EDF reactors, whether or not investigations into Cattenom have began and whether or not any restore works are deliberate.

Luxembourg additionally requested the ASN whether or not it would hold the federal government knowledgeable in regards to the investigation and restore works, and the way lengthy it would take to totally examine the Cattenom reactors.

ASN director Olivier Gupta, responding to the Jan. 19 letter and an extra Luxembourg letter on April 14, stated he proposed to debate the problems on the subsequent Franco-Luxembourg nuclear security fee on June 13.

Lately, authorities in France’s neigbouring international locations together with Germany, Switzerland and Belgium, have repeatedly expressed concern about security in French nuclear vegetation, a lot of which have been constructed near the borders.

French front-curve energy costs have been on an upward development since Tuesday, after EDF revealed a doc confirming corrosion issues on a number of reactors. The front-year 2023 baseload reaching a brand new contract excessive of 258.25 euros/MWh Friday.