Fessenheim in dormancy before dismantling

The second reactor of the Fessenheim nuclear plant will be stopped at the end of June 2020. The decommissioning of the Fessenheim plant is a political decision taken within the framework of the energy transition. 14 reactors are expected to be decommissioned by 2023 but Fessenheim is the only nuclear power station to be decommissioned. During the next 5 years, all the nuclear fuel present on the site will be sent to the La Hague plant. 15 years more will be necessary to remove equipment and demolish buildings. A few years more will be necessary to deal with the reactor itself. Only 0.1% of the waste will be sent to the Bure disposal site and 99.99% will be sent to specialized centers. According to specialists, Fessenheim dismantling does not raise safety concern as EDF's teams benefit from the ongoing dismantling of the Chooz A reactor. (A.C.)