French nuclear regulator Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN) has called for an update of the estimated cost for France’s planned deep geological repository for high-level and intermediate-level radioactive waste. ASN said the previous estimate of between €13.5bn €16.5bn ($14.6bn and $17.8bn) dates from 2005 and contains assumptions that are “too optimistic” and “not in compliance with the requirement of necessary caution to such an assessment”. Moreover, at this stage of project development, uncertainties are inevitable, ASN said. It is essential to provide a regular update mechanism for cost benchmarking, particularly at key stages of project development, ASN said. The cost assessment is used to calculate the funds nuclear operators must set aside to cover expenses related to the management of their radioactive waste. These funds must ensure that these costs will not be borne by future generations, ASN said. French radioactive waste agency Andra is responsible for developing the Centre Industriel de Stockage Géologique, or ‘Cigéo’.
NucNet 12th Jan 2016 read more »
The cost for the French nuclear waste repository project, or Cigéo, could range from €20bn ($22bn) to €30bn ($32bn) depending on assumptions made about technological progress or potential “project optimisations”, Andra, the French agency managing the project, said in a statement. The assessment of these costs is a delicate exercise because it requires making assumptions on labour costs, taxation, materials or energy for over 100 years, Andra said. The country’s main nuclear waste producers – EDF, Areva and the French alternative and atomic energy commission (CEA) – said yesterday they would suggest a cost estimate of €20bn for the project. Earlier yesterday French nuclear regulator ASN called for an imperative and urgent update of the cost estimate for Cigéo. ASN said the previous estimate of between €13.5bn €16.5bn dates from 2005 and contains assumptions that are “too optimistic” and “not in compliance with the requirement of necessary caution to such an assessment”.
NucNet 13th Jan 2016 read more »