ASN Report 2020

In 2020, ASN’s carried out 114 inspections in the Hauts-de- France region, of which 35 were in the Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), 75 in small-scale nuclear activities and 4 in the transport of radioactive substances. ASN also carried out 21.5 days of labour inspection in the Gravelines NPP. In the course of 2020, 10 significant events rated level 1 on the International Nuclear andRadiological Event Scale (INES scale) were reported by the Gravelines NPP, including one concerning radiation protection. In small-scale nuclear activities, 4 events were rated level 1 on the INES scale. In radiotherapy, one event was rated level 3 on the ASN-SFRO scale. Gravelines nuclear power plant The Gravelines NPP operated by EDF is located in the Nord département on the shores of the North Sea, between Calais and Dunkerque. This NPP comprises six 900 Megawatts electric (MWe) pressurised water reactors, representing a total power of 5,400 MWe. Reactors 1 and 2 constitute BNI 96, reactors 3 and 4 BNI 97 and reactors 5 and 6 BNI 122. ASN considers that the performance of the Gravelines NPP with regard to nuclear safety, radiation protection and environmental protection is below ASN’s general assessment of EDF plant performance. Nuclear safety performance did not improve in 2020, particularly with regard to the rigour of work interventions. The licensee has initiated an action plan which aims to bring an end to a situation where deviations and inappropriate practices and behaviours have become habitual. ASN gave the Gravelines NPP licensee formal notice to comply, before 31 October 2020, with the regulatory provisions regarding protection against the risk of explosion of external origin, imposed by the creation authorisation decrees for the Gravelines NPP reactors 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and by its resolution of 20 August 2015 relative to control of the risks associated with the Dunkerque methane terminal. The compliance notice deadline was met. With regard to maintenance, the year 2020 was marked by significant increases in the refuelling and maintenance outage times. The licensee has undertaken a major repair program for the pipes carrying seawater. It must nevertheless continue its work on certain items of equipment protecting against external hazards and displaying levels of corrosion that could call into question their functional integrity. The Lille division regulates nuclear safety, radiation protection and the transport of radioactive substances in the 5 départements of the Hauts‑de‑France region. Hauts‑de‑France Region THE INSTALLATIONS AND ACTIVITIES TO REGULATE COMPRISES: one Basic Nuclear Installation: • the Gravelines NPP (6 reactors of 900 MWe) operated by EDF; small-scale nuclear activities in the medical sector: • 19 external-beam radiotherapy departments, • 3 brachytherapy departments, • 29 nuclear medicine departments, • 92 centres using fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures, • 127 computed tomography scanners, • some 4,600 medical and dental radiology devices; small-scale nuclear activities in the veterinary, industrial and research sectors: • 1 accelerator intended for the inspection of freight trains, • 600 industrial and research organisations, including 29 companies exercising an industrial radiography activity, 3 particle accelerators including 2 cyclotrons, 38 laboratories, mainly located in the universities of the region, and 19 companies using gamma ray densitometers, • 340 veterinary surgeries or clinics practising diagnostic radiology; activities associated with the transport of radioactive substances; ASN-approved laboratories and organisations: • 3 organisations approved for radiation protection controls. p. 206 p. 238 p. 266 64 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020 REGIONAL OVERVIEWOF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION