Nuclear security

In nuclear power, we and you need to take safety and quality issues very seriously: Pierre-Franck Chevet

Last month, India and France signed a deal to make what could become the world's biggest nuclear park, with six European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs) of 1,650 Mw each in Maharashtra. EDF, France's public electricity producer and supplier, now leads the negotiations. However, EPR is also facing problems. Pierre-Franck Chevet, head of the Nuclear Safety Authority in France, called ASN, speaks to Noopur Tiwari. Edited excerpts.

You said nuclear safety & security in France was worrying. Why?

There is a risk that in the years to come, if financial difficulties persist, businesses would be tempted to not undertake or delay investments related to safety.

The anomalies in the nuclear plant at Flamanville in France were discovered by whom?

They were essentially discovered because we at ASN had insisted on additional tests. There was reluctance (from the companies) but we finally got them to do these tests, the anomalies were found.