The French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) has issued a formal notice to Orano, requiring them to repair the dam that supplies water to the cooling systems of their spent fuel reprocessing plant in La Hague, Manche.
Dam’s Critical Role in Cooling Systems
According to the notice, Orano, the nuclear fuel specialist, must “restore the condition of the Moulinets dam installations, which ensure the water supply” to the Orano Recycling site.
During inspections of two pipelines that transport water to the plant and another used for drainage, Orano discovered “a significant loss of thickness” due to wear and corrosion, as reported by the ASN in its decision. Pierre Bois, Deputy Director General of ASN, explained to AFP that “the remaining thickness of these pipes no longer guarantees their resistance to a seismic event.”
Importance of Water Supply in Case of Seismic Activity
Located on the coast, the dam holds approximately 416,000 cubic meters of water, a reserve that “must be available at all times, even in the event of an extreme earthquake,” added Bois.
During an inspection on February 8, 2024, ASN agents “noted that a pipeline leak in the gallery had been identified by the operator, thus questioning the effectiveness of the compensatory measures implemented at this stage,” stated the nuclear watchdog.
Orano’s Response and Assurance of Safety
Orano informed AFP that they have “proposed an action plan” that “adheres to the requested timeline.” The company emphasized that the dam, under “regular and continuous monitoring,” is “designed to withstand major earthquakes and does not pose a risk to the population.”
The formal notice stipulates that Orano Recycling must inform the ASN, “within six months from January 1, 2025, of the progress and schedule of the remaining work to ensure compliance by December 31, 2025, at the latest.”
Each year, the La Hague recycling plant receives approximately 1,100 tons of spent fuel, primarily from French nuclear power plants, but also from European and Japanese facilities. Due to their radioactivity, spent fuel continues to generate heat and must be continuously cooled, either in pools or through cooling circuits.