Delegations from France and Luxembourg met in Luxembourg last Thursday 2 February for the 15th Franco-Luxembourg Joint Committee on Nuclear Safety for discussions including a visit to Cattenom Nuclear Power Station, in relation to which a proposed 40-year extension has added to concerns within Luxembourg. 

The delegations discussed recent safety and radiation protection developments in the two countries, and reviewed Cattenom’s 2016 assessment for safety, radiation protection and environmental protection, including changes planned for 2017.

The proposed amendments include a taking-account of the feedback from the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan which resulted in the deaths of almost 20,000 linked to the earthquake and consequent Tsunami that devastated the area. 

Both parties welcomed the new safety objectives set out in Directive 2014/87 / EURATOM with a view to improving the safety of existing reactors and guaranteeing the highest safety levels for new reactors. 

The delegations also discussed the preparation of a proposed emergency exercise for testing coordination mechanisms.

*Photo from EDF website