Steps Forward For The French Deep Geological Disposal Facility

Last week, Andra (the French National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management) applied to France’s Ministry of Energy Transition for authorization to create the planned Cigéo (Centre Industriel de Stockage Géologique).

This is a key step for the project, which marks the beginning of a new phase, with the examination of the application by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) and the public inquiry.

First of all, it is the fruit of 30 years of progressive development that is regularly evaluated. The project has been refined over time on the scientific and technical levels. Today we are submitting a Cigéo DAC file based on well-defined design principles and a robust demonstration of safety”

said Pierre-Marie Abadie, Andra’s Director General.

A final positive evaluation will be followed by the publication of the decree authorizing the creation of the plant, which is issued by the Prime Minister and countersigned by the minister responsible for nuclear safety. This decree is expected in 2027.

Read more on SFEN in English.

 

Cigéo is the French project for a deep disposal facility for radioactive waste. It is designed to receive all the high-level, and intermediate-level long-lived waste (HLW and HLW) already produced and that will be produced by existing nuclear facilities (nuclear power plants, research centers, etc.), as well as by authorized nuclear facilities (including the EPR in Flamanville).

Andra plans to construct the Cigéo repository in a natural layer of clay near Bure, to the east of Paris in the Meuse/Haute Marne area.

The facility is to be financed by radioactive waste generators – EDF, Framatome, and CEA (all ENS Corporate Members)  – and managed by Andra. It will hold 83,000 cubic metres of long-lived high-level waste (HLW) and intermediate-level waste (ILW).

Learn more on radioactive waste management on ENS Nuclear Basics.