Les cahiers de l'ASN #01 - Nuclear power plants: going beyond 40 years

What happens elsewhere? 40 years? 30 years? 60 years? What is the lifetime of the nuclear reactors in other countries? Is this duration regulated by law? Are periodic safety reviews carried out? Even if there are international or European recommendations and regulations, each country has its own rules concerning the operating conditions of its NPPs. France: the regulations require the licensee of nuclear facilities to conduct an in-depth periodic safety review every 10 years. This is also the case in other European countries that operate NPPs: a European directive of 2009 (2009/71/ Euratom) sets out the principle of an in-depth assessment of the facilities “at least every 10 years” (see box). United States: every 20 years, the nuclear power plants renew their operating license. Reviews are held mainly to ensure that the effects of equipment ageing have been anticipated. The lifetime of the NPPs is limited, but this duration is a long one. Most of the plants are already authorised to operate for 60 years. Continued operation up to 80 years is being examined. * See glossary p.24 20 • Les cahiers de l’ASN • September 2018