NOTABLE EVENTS 2023 THE EPR 2 PROGRAMME he design of the EPR 2 reactor differs from that of the EPR, with a number of simplifications to facilitate construction and operation. With regard to safety, it is a thirdgeneration pressurised water reactor, which takes account of Operating Experience Feedback (OEF) from the EPR. The plan is for these reactors still to be in service at the end of the 21st century, a time-frame by when the effects of climate change should be far more significant than today. Major uncertainties persist, notably regarding the temperatures to be considered when designing the equipment. Given this situation, ASN considers that quite apart from ambitious climatic resilience objectives, a certain level of adaptability should be designed into the facilities, so that certain critical equipment can be resized if necessary. Controlling the quality of construction and manufacturing remains the main challenge EDF has to face. The EPR 2 programme is starting at the rate of one pair of reactors every three years. This situation is creating considerable pressure on the industrial stakeholders, with the risk being that faced with unrealistic objectives, deadlines compliance takes precedence over quality. ASN observes that for several years now, the sector has been preparing for the arrival of this new nuclear power programme. The question of skills, considered by ASN to be primordial, is the subject of multiple actions together with the State and the regional authorities. In this context, ASN adapts its oversight to these new challenges. Since 2016, legislation has expanded its competence to activities performed outside nuclear installations, in particular in the plants of the suppliers and subcontractors. ASN is gradually expanding its checks beyond the manufacture of Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) equipment alone, with 53 supplier inspections performed in 2023. ASN observes that although the tier 1 suppliers are closely involved, considerable work remains to be done with regard to The safety challenges for the new nuclear programme T Penly (Seine-Maritime département(1)) site on which EDF intends to build two EPR 2 type reactors. 12 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 Launching a new large-scale nuclear programme is a challenge for the French nuclear industry, which needs to rebuild its capacity, notably in terms of skills and expertise. ASN draws attention to the need to control the quality of construction and manufacturing given the rapid start-up of the EPR 2 nuclear power programme and takes account of this in its regulation and oversight. At the same time, Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects are multiplying, with ambitious objectives, including with regard to nuclear safety. Most of these innovative reactor projects, sponsored by new players, require the construction of experimental mock-ups before an industrial product can be envisaged. It will also be necessary to design new “fuel cycle” facilities, suited to the needs of these new technologies. Given the number and diversity of these projects, which raise new questions or require a fresh look at the safety doctrines currently in force, ASN is adapting, without in any way reducing its demands in terms of safety, and has set up procedures for exchanges and for work appropriate to these new players.
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