Les cahiers de l'ASN #05 - 1300 MWe Nuclear Reactors Operation beyond 40 years

In France, 20 nuclear reactors with a power of 1,300 MWe, spread over 8 sites, will reach their 40th year of operation within the next few years. On this occasion, these reactors will undergo a periodic safety review*, which will be able to define the conditions that will determine their continued operation for a further 10 years.

Conformity review, control of ageing, safety improvements – notably in the light of the most recent technologies – this 4th periodic safety review* will be subject to the same requirements as that of the 900 MWe reactors. It will thus benefit from all the lessons learned from the periodic safety review of these reactors.

The 4th periodic safety review of the 1,300 MWe reactors will also benefit from an enhanced process to involve the public. This “Cahier de l’ASN” booklet contributes to this by aiming to promote the understanding of a major step in the life of France’s Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) in the next few years.