Security of Marcoule site deemed “generally satisfactory” by nuclear watchdog despite points of vigilance

Deux incidents, à Atalante, suscitent la vigilance de l’ASN. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

L’autorité de sûreté du nucléaire pointe tout de même des "axes de progrès", et veille notamment sur les installations d’Atalante et de Melox.

This was its last annual report, before the merger with the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) which will be effective on January 1, 2025, a reform promulgated in May despite numerous protests. The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), the industry's watchdog, unveiled this September its assessment of the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 at the level of each region. The Languedoc-Roussillon sites, located in Marcoule in the Gard, are regularly inspected by the Marseille territorial division.

Its head Mathieu Ranson thus described the level of safety of the various entities present in Marcoule (CEA, Atalante, Melox, Centraco) as "generally satisfactory". "This means, he detailed, that nuclear activities are well maintained but with clearly identified areas for improvement". In particular, the operators were asked for a third-party assessment of the impact on health and the environment caused by liquid and gaseous discharges from all nuclear activities at the Marcoule site. The results of this work should be made public at the end of 2024.

Vigilance on Melox's action plan

While ASNa has also noted an improvement in the provisions implemented to ensure monitoring of the surveillance of external stakeholders, it says it remains vigilant on certain specific points. Within the Melox plant, which manufactures Mox fuel for nuclear power plants, it says it is ensuring the consolidation of the large-scale action plan launched in 2022 to overcome production difficulties. “This is bearing fruit with a significant improvement in the quantity of fuel manufactured and the volume of scrap generated, elements that contribute to stabilizing the operation of the fuel cycle, but this situation is still fragile“, warns Mathieu Ranson. The strategy of strengthening the maintenance of the production tool also has consequences in terms of radiation protection, “with an increasing call for external contractors and significant collective dosimetry”.

Two incidents at Atalante

Another point of vigilance emerged in Marcoule in February this year after two incidents at the CEA Atalante facility – which conducts experiments on the processing of spent fuel – – "concern non-compliance with rules relating to the preparation of movements of fissile material". The ASN refers to "significant shortcomings […] which have highlighted failures to adapt to the positions in carrying out these activities which are important for protection". This event had no consequences for the installations, people or the environment and the CEA took “without delay” corrective measures to restore criticality risk management and launched an action plan, but the nuclear police will analyze the consequences. Even under its new role as Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR).

The end of the Tricastin towers

The end of an era. On the neighboring Tricastin site, in Pierrelate (Drome), the two 123-meter-high towers – clearly visible on the A7 – will disappear from the landscape. The Authority nuclear safety authority gave the green light for their demolition. They are not part of the EDF nuclear power plant, they contributed to the enrichment of uranium, an activity of Orano – at the time Areva. Since 2012, a new cooling system that consumes 98% less electricity and emits less heat, had retired these two towers. They will be nibbled from the inside starting this fall.

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