Opinion Radiating confidence

Safety has always been a key concern of the French authorities. As you know,France generates 78 per cent of its power through nuclear energy,and operates 58 reactors. We cannot afford the risk of a nuclear accident. The very safety of our own people is at stake. Therefore,after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents,we embarked on the design of third generation power plants with outstanding safety features: the European Pressurised Reactor,or “EPR” (1650 Mw). After 9/11,we equally ensured that the EPR would also be able to resist an attack such as the one against the World Trade Centre in New York. 

In the medium to long term,with the building of new EPR reactors,the safety of our present nuclear programme will improve dramatically. One is already under construction in the coastal city of Flamanville (northwest of France). So will China,which is speeding up the construction of two EPRs in the southern industrial region of Guangdong. Another is being built in Finland. Our Indian partners are considering the construction of EPR reactors in Jaitapur,Maharashtra,to address the growing and urgent energy requirements of the fast developing economy of the region. 

Naturally,the Fukushima nuclear accident,caused by a huge earthquake and the ensuing tsunami,has raised questions and concerns among our people. In France,different steps were taken right away. Notably,the independent French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) proceeded to conducting additional safety assessments of all nuclear facilities,including the EPR currently under construction in Flamanville. I came to India to share with our partners the conclusions of this assessment and answer their questions. Indeed,this assessment is of great importance for India.  

The EPR reactor has been originally designed to ensure the safety of our own people. It is the very same reactor that is today proposed to India,in Jaitapur. We want our Indian partners to be certain that EPR reactors will be operated in India under safe and secure conditions. The French Nuclear Safety Authority has concluded that the existing EPR design already incorporates improved safety features and protections against severe accidents,covering a wide range of nuclear risks,the Fukushima type being one of them. Therefore,there will be no additional costs to ensure the safety of the EPR. Thus,although the EPR was not designed keeping in mind a Fukushima type problem,it already addresses it.  

In simple terms,the key safety features of the EPR are the core catcher,the associated cooling water systems and a sealed containment vessel above. Of course,France will provide necessary training and expertise for the staff and early reaction teams,which is essential for the success of emergency safety operations. In the event of a nuclear core meltdown and a combination of hazards,the EPR can limit the consequences of the accident and to prevent the release and spread of radioactive emissions outside the nuclear site. Moreover,the French electricity utility,EDF,which is currently building the EPR reactor in Flamanville,has proposed several additional measures with no design modification and no cost increase,to enhance the robustness of the EPR in case of extreme natural conditions over and above the ones already taken into account. 

On this basis,the French Nuclear Safety Authority has given its green light to continue the construction of the Flamanville EPR. This has fostered confidence in this state-of-the-art reactor’s safety among the French people. 

In a few years from now,EPR reactors will be operational and generate electricity in several countries. Our Indian partners will be able to benefit from the feedback experience of the construction,commissioning and operation of these reactors before theirs are eventually commissioned. This is an additional guarantee that the EPR will be a safe,robust and tested equipment before becoming operational in India. I am confident that this message is equally reassuring for our Indian partners and will alleviate any concerns in the state of Maharashtra,and beyond. 

Bernard Bigot is chairman of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)