The Court of Auditors calls for better adaptation of nuclear power to global warming

More than a financial issue, "the adaptation of nuclear reactors to climate change represents a challenge of anticipation, especially at a time when our country is embarking on the ambitious new nuclear project," summarized before the senators Annie Podeur, President of the 2nd Chamber of the Court of Auditors.

"The consequences of climate change affect the installations (the resistance of the equipment, the compatibility with acceptable working conditions) and the immediate environment in connection with the exploitation (the flow and the temperature of the rivers but also the level of the sea)", recalled the magistrate.

Estimated by EDF, the cost of investments (construction of dikes, renovation of air-cooling towers, etc.) remains "modest", at around 960 million euros between 2006-2021 and 600 million for the next 15 years, underlines the report , which calls for a more comprehensive assessment.

But the country lacks projections for these 10-15 years regarding the availability of fresh water and the flow of rivers, warns the Court.

"The availability of water is the main issue", underlines Ms. Podeur, because the reactors depend on it for their cooling, in "open circuit" (water taken and then rejected, which increases the temperature of the rivers) as "closed" (less water withdrawal but evaporation).

The Court calls for "updating the scientific foundations justifying the regulatory limits of thermal discharges, and this in a concerted manner".

And for the "new nuclear", likely to start in 2035, the climatic constraints will be even stronger, insists the report, which invites to "examine" the sites operating abroad in hot climates: "It is a form alert addressed to nuclear players", says Ms Podeur.

In fact, the court finds that the 6 future EPR2s desired by the government do not include "no marked technological development" in terms of a "low water" cooling system. The most extreme projections in terms of sea level rise are also not considered.

The Court calls for "quickly producing pre-feasibility studies" as to the location of the eight additional EPRs now optional, and calls for "a territorialized and common approach to all the actors directly concerned".