A constant nuclear safety procedure
EDF, in its capacity as a nuclear operator, takes responsibility for nuclear safety and, in a rapidly changing context (market competition, environmental issues, European connection, etc.), reaffirms as its absolute priority the protection of the human and environmental health, among other things, through the prevention of accidents and the limiting of their consequences as regards nuclear safety. The implementation of the French nuclear power programme led EDF to establish a safe procedure that:
- takes into account, from the design stage, the risks that might arise during the operation of the power plants, whether relating to the actual operation of the facilities or to internal or external attacks;
- is based both on the application of strict rules of operation, and on the cautious and inquiring attitude of the technical teams thanks to the establishment of a true safety culture;
- is based on the cumulative experience of a standardised fleet;
- incorporates and fosters a continuous improvement approach that is notably embodied by the ongoing efforts to decrease the number of automatic reactor trips;
- benefits from integrated nuclear engineering and Research & Development within the Group in order to anticipate the occurrence of failures, maintain the facilities in good working order, develop equipment on an ongoing basis, reassess safety margins and monitor technology advances, as well as the implementation of more effective new technologies and the management of sites being decommissioned;
- relies strongly on the development of skills. With this objective in mind, each nuclear generation site is equipped with a simulator used for training to cope with any type of situation.
Regulatory notice
Nuclear transparency
Articles L. 125-10 et seq. of the French Environmental Code includes specific provisions on the right to information regarding the nuclear industry aimed at guaranteeing the public’s right to reliable, accessible information. In particular, the operator of a BNF is required to declare any accidents and incidents occurring as a result of the operation of the facility that could potentially be detrimental to the interests referred to in Article L. 593-1 of the French Environmental Code, namely public health and safety and/or the protection of nature and the environment, and to do so speedily to the ASN and the competent administrative authority.
Other authorities also contribute to transparency for the nuclear industry. They include the Haut Comité pour la transparence et l’information sur la sécurité nucléaire (High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety, HCTISN) as well as local information committees formed for any site housing one or more BNFs.
The control system
Nuclear safety is subject to numerous controls, both internal and external.
- For example, every four years, EDF performs overall safety assessments for each nuclear unit (1), which take place over a three-week period and involve approximately 30 inspectors. In addition, the General Inspector for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, reporting directly to and appointed by EDF’s Chairman and CEO, holds discussions with employees in the nuclear industry, enabling an opinion to be issued each year on the overall safety of the nuclear fleet and improvement actions to be suggested to the Company’s management. Efforts by EDF have made it possible to decrease the average annual number of automatic reactor trips in recent years (by a factor of four over a period of twenty years). In 2021, there were 27 for the entire fleet.
- Nationally in France, safety is controlled by the ASN by means of:
- ❯ scheduled or unannounced inspections conducted by the ASN.515 inspections, including 26 national inspections, were conducted in 2021 at all EDF nuclear facilities (463 in 2020, including 6 national inspections);
- ❯ a periodic (ten-year) review process designed to improve the compliance of nuclear plants with applicable rules and to update assessments of the risks and drawbacks that such facilities pose to the “protected interests”(protection of public safety, health and sanitation, as well as preservation of nature and the environment). To achieve this, the state of the facilities, the experience gained during their operation, new developments in nuclear science, and rules applying to similar facilities (safety standards) are taken into account. At the close of the ten-year inspection, the operator sends the ASN a report containing the findings of the periodic review. In this report, the operator states its position regarding the regulatory compliance of its facility, as well as the modifications made in order to correct the discrepancies identified or improve the safety of the facility. The ASN provides the Minister in charge of nuclear safety with its analysis of the report and may define additional obligations for the operator. See in section 1.4.1.1.2.1 “EDF’s nuclear fleet in France” the regulatory notice on ASN. The periodic review is an important step in continuing the operation of power plants (see section 1.4.1.1.2.3 “The issues relating to the nuclear activity” – “Preparing for the future of the nuclear fleet in France”).
- At the international level, regular inspections are held making it possible to share the experience gained worldwide:
- ❯ the OSART (Operational Safety Review Team) of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) performs reviews at the request of the French government with the objective of formulating recommendations and promoting best practices. In 2021, 2 OSARTs were carried out (Paluel, Belleville);
- ❯ the international “peer review” inspections carried out by the WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators) are organised at the request of EDF to assess safety performance compared to best international working practices. In 2021, there were two follow-up (2) missions (Bugey, Dampierre) and five peer reviews (Chinon, Flamanville, Cattenom, Saint-Alban, Blayais).
Whistleblowing system
In the event of an accident, a crisis plan is in place to limit impacts on the environment and people, and to ensure the safety of the facility. This crisis system is based on two closely coordinated plans, designed for both local and national use. These are:
- the Internal Emergency Plan for each nuclear site, developed by EDF;
- the Special Intervention Plan, prepared by French prefectures in collaboration with the French government and EDF.
In order to provide greater effectiveness, these plans in particular take into account external risks (flooding, etc.) and internal risks (fire, etc.). The relevance of the system for warning, informing and protecting people is regularly assessed through accident simulation exercises. Each year, approximately 100 exercises are organised for the entire French nuclear fleet, i.e., approximately one every three days. Approximately ten exercises are on a national level, under the management of the ASN and involve EDF and the public authorities, in particular the prefectures. In 2021, fourteen nationwide drills were organised including one to support CGN operators (China) and one with ESKOM (South Africa).
After its initial analyses following the Fukushima accident in March 2011, EDF supplemented its crisis management organisation with a national team capable of quickly delivering material and human assistance to a site in great difficulty. This system, called the Nuclear Rapid Action Force (FARN), has had many simulation exercises from regional bases located at Civaux, Paluel, Dampierre and Bugey and can be sent to a unit at any site in difficulty. The FARN is capable of a simultaneous response at six units on a single site.
(1) I.e. nuclear power plants.
(2) Follow-up missions related to the recommendations issued during peer-review audits (and detailed in an audit report).
