Following an initial analysis of the contents of the file, ASN informed the MTE that it was administratively acceptable in June 2023 and formally started the technical review process, for which it requested IRSN’s support. This process is expected to last 30 months and will comprise three meetings of the “Waste” GPE. As necessary, experts from the “laboratories and plants” GPE and the “radiation protection” GPE will join these meetings. The review by the GPEs will initially cover the knowledge and the hypotheses used to design the facility and then review operational safety before finally assessing long-term safety. The first meeting of the GPEs is scheduled for April 2024. Following the technical review, ASN will issue the opinion provided for in Article L. 542-10-1 of the Environment Code. The duration of the entire authorisation process is estimated at about five years. Apart from the technical examination phase, it includes a consultation phase (local authorities, Environmental Authority, etc.), as well as a public inquiry. Consultation actions In order to address society’s strong desire to take part in the Cigéo project, and consistently with the measures stipulated in this respect by the 5th PNGMDR, ASN has implemented an unprecedented system of consultation and discussion around the technical examination process. Various stakeholders (about twenty organisations, including the Local Information Committees (CLIs), the National Association of Local Information Committees and Commissions (Anccli) and environmental protection associations) were consulted as part of the drafting of the referral to IRSN about the Cigéo creation authorisation application, with the aim of identifying their expectations and concerns, as related to nuclear safety and radiation protection, so that they could be taken into account when framing the technical review. Following this exercise, the IRSN referral project was modified, for example, to incorporate aspects related to addressing climate change issues. To guarantee the continuity of participation by society throughout the technical review process, consultation measures will also be taken when drafting the GPE referrals on the three previously mentioned topics, and the public will be regularly informed, notably after each meeting of these GPEs. The cost of the project In accordance with the procedure stipulated in Article L. 542‑12 of the Environment Code and after consideration of ASN’s opinion of February 2015 and the comments of the radioactive waste producers, the Minister responsible for energy issued an Order on 15 January 2016 setting the reference cost of the Cigéo disposal project “at €25 billion under the economic conditions prevailing on 31 December 2011, the year in which the cost evaluation work began”. This amount is being reassess and will be transmitted to the MTE before the public inquiry is held regarding the Cigéo creation authorisation application. Schematic diagram of the Cigéo repository showing the surface and underground facilities Underground laboratory Package reception, inspection and preparation zone Shafts zone Works support zone Disposal zone HLW Double-ramps Disposal zone ILW-LL – 420 m – 550 m – 700 m ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 377 • 15 • Radioactive waste and contaminated sites and soils 15 05 08 11 04 14 06 07 13 AP 03 10 02 09 12 01
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