Cost of the Cigéo project: ASN publishes its opinion on the evaluation proposed by Andra

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In accordance with the procedure¹ stipulated in the Environment Code, the Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy is required to determine the reference cost of the Cigéo disposal facility project.

In late 2014, ASN received a file from the Minister containing the cost figures produced by Andra in 2014. ASN returned its opinion on 10 February 2015.

The previous evaluation, of between 13.5 and 16.5 billion euros, dated from 2005; ASN considers that updating of the reference cost is absolutely essential and urgently required. This update could be carried out on the basis of the Andra file, which is documented and substantiated and which represents significant progress, more specifically through a greater focus on safety.

However, ASN considers that some of the technical and economic assumptions made by Andra are overly optimistic and therefore not consistent with the prudence that is essential for such an evaluation. At this stage of the development of the project, uncertainties are however inevitable. ASN therefore considers that it will be vital to make provision for a mechanism to regularly update the reference cost, more specifically during the project’s key development steps.

ASN recalls that this evaluation is one of the bases for calculating the amounts of the funds required by the licensees in order to cover the cost of managing their radioactive waste. The purpose of these funds is to ensure that these costs will not be borne by future generations.