YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS The Brennilis NPP (BNI 162) reactor was a prototype power reactor operating with heavy water. It was operated by CEA, and then by EDF, and was shut down in 1985 after 18 years of service. The nuclear fuel has been completely removed from the installation and dismantling of the equipment, except for the “reactor block” (exchangers, effluent treatment station, waste hangar, etc.) is now complete. A specific reactor building dismantling file is currently being reviewed, pending the publication of a new decommissioning decree. This project was the subject of a public inquiry. The reactor block dismantling operations, carried out with remote-operated resources in a relatively restricted space, will be complex owing to the close proximity and congestion of the equipment items. The end of decommissioning of Brennilis is scheduled for the 2040s and the final state envisaged is currently complete demolition of the buildings. Where do things stand with decommissioning of the Brennilis NPP, in the Monts d’Arrée hills? On completion of decommissioning, a BNI* can be delicensed by an ASN resolution. With a view to delicensing*, the licensee submits a file to ASN summarising the decommissioning operations already carried out and demonstrating attainment of the cleanness objectives set by ASN. Once “delicensed”, the installation is no longer subject to the nuclear installations legal system. Depending on the final state reached, ASN may require the implementation of active institutional controls* as a condition of delicensing*, determining a certain number of restrictions on the use of the site (and any remaining buildings), or precautionary measures that will have to be adhered to. Depending on its radiological cleanness level, a delicensed installation may become a new industrial site – whether or not nuclear – or house public access buildings (offices, commercial activity zone, etc.). What can happen to a BNI* site once decommissioning has been completed and the installation “delicensed”? * See glossary page 30 28 • Les cahiers de l’ASN • June 2022 INFORMING THE PUBLIC
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