Is nuclear safe enough?

13Mar
2012
Dinner debate in Strasbourg

Speaker: Philippe KNOCHE Chief Operating Officer, AREVA

Second intervention: Marc Miraucourt, EDF

The earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan in March 2011 and the related nuclear accident which occurred in Fukushima have brought the issue of nuclear safety back under the spotlight. What went wrong? What were the political reactions at international level?

On the 25th of March last year, EU heads of state and government requested complementary safety reviews of all European nuclear power plants. In many ways, this process is viewed as an international best-practice. National reports were published at the end of 2011 and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) report is expected by the end of April.

– Which additional safety features are on the way?

– Will European new builds be affected?

– Beyond the design, what other lessons can be drawn?

– Should the EU framework for nuclear safety be strengthened?