Excerpts of the ASN's 2011 report

The ASN (French Nuclear Safety Authority) has to publish each year a report about the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France. This article reviews the 2011 report. 2011 was marked by the Fukushima accident. The 2 main consequences of the Fukushima accident in France was the complementary assessments of the safety of all nuclear facilities and the inspection of 38 nuclear facilities focused on issues related to the Fukushima accident. The aim of these complementary assessments was to evaluate the safety margin for highly unlikely events like for instance the complete loss of electrical power or of cooling. The conclusion of these complementary assessments and inspection was known in the beginning of 2012: the safety level of the French nuclear power plants is sufficient and none has to be stopped but complementary measures have to be taken, for instance the setting of an over-protected core of emergency systems that will be able to operate in the worst conditions for assuring the safety functions of the plant. (A.C.)