LES ACTIVITÉS NUCLÉAIRES : RAYONNEMENTS IONISANTS ET RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT 5.2.2 – EPR 2 reactor project at the Gravelines site The Gravelines site is characterised by a great deal of loose soil to a considerable depth. This geological feature, combined with the large mass of the EPR 2 reactors, means that a ground reinforcement system has to be implemented before the reactors can be built. Given the fundamental importance of the choice of this system for the future of the project, and at EDF’s request, ASNR has initiated an investigation into this matter in anticipation of the future creation authorisation application to construct EPR 2 reactors at the Gravelines site. Following the publication of an initial expert assessment of this matter, ASNR informed EDF, in a letter dated 14 October 2025, of its expectations regarding the ground reinforcement system required for the construction of EPR 2 reactors on the Gravelines site. 5.2.3 – EPR 2 reactor construction programme Organisation of EDF’s EPR 2 project ASNR has initiated an oversight review of the organisational structure established by EDF to manage its EPR 2 reactor construction project. The purpose of this approach is to check that the requirements relating to the protection of people and the environment are taken into account appropriately during the design and then construction phases of these reactors. Equipment for the EPR 2 reactor Nuclear Steam Supply System With regard to the equipment to be installed as part of the Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) for these reactors, ASNR continued with the assessments to check their design and manufacture in 2025. Production of the vessels, steam generators and reactor coolant pump sets has begun, as have the associated inspections. At the same time, in order to facilitate these inspections and to ensure that the requirements associated with the manufacture of such equipment are met, ASNR issued a position statement on the technical guidelines proposed by EDF for the manufacture of Nuclear Pressure Equipment for the EPR 2 programme (see Highlight No. 15). Procurement of EPR 2 reactor components The supply of components for the NSSS equipment is subject to specific controls, particularly for large forged components. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that the manufacturing processes adopted offer sufficient guarantees that materials meeting the required quality level will be produced. The year 2025 saw a large number of qualification operations for the supply of these forged parts. ASNR also started monitoring of the procurement chain for other safety-important items intended for the EPR 2 reactors, in order to evaluate the management of the manufacturing activities by the suppliers and EDF’s oversight of them (see Highlight No. 16). HIGHLIGHT No. 16 Oversight of suppliers of equipment important for nuclear safety In 2025, ASNR continued to inspect the supply chain for safety-important equipment for nuclear power plants, as the EPR 2 programme ramps up. These inspections enabled oversight of the manufacturing processes used by the suppliers, their organisational provisions, the implementation of the licensee’s specified requirements within the subcontracting chain, and the supervision that EDF is required to carry out. The inspectors noted good practices in the execution of activities entrusted to outside contractors, progress in fostering a safety culture, and a willingness to better share applicable technical requirements between EDF and its subcontracting chain. Nevertheless, the inspectors once again noted weaknesses within EDF’s subcontracting chain, linked to the fact that certain quality standards and technical requirements specific to the nuclear sector were not well assimilated. One of the key reasons for this is a lack of clarity about the issues and implications associated with the technical requirements concerned. Inspectors also found that EDF does not sufficiently incorporate this dimension into its supplier qualification process. ASNR considers that EDF must continue its support work so that the entire industry achieves the expected level of quality and rigour. In this respect, certification of subcontractors to the ISO 19443 standard is good practice. ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025 309 01 05 02 06 03 07 04 08 09 10 11 13 12 A / Z
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