On Tuesday 14 May 2024, Greenpeace Luxembourg will participate in a public conference on the prolongation of the Cattenom 1 nuclear reactor’s life span extension beyond its intended duration.
Organised by the High Committee for Transparency and Information on Nuclear Safety (Haut Comité pour la Transparence et l'Information sur la Sûreté Nucléaire - HCTISN) the public conference will take place on Tuesday 14 May 2024 at 18:30 at the Casino de Cattenom (Rue Général de Gaulle, 57570 Cattenom, France).
A panel of experts, including Roger Spautz, nuclear campaign manager at Greenpeace Luxembourg, will debate the theme, followed by questions from the public.
In 2026, the Cattenom 1 nuclear reactor will reach the maximum operating life initially planned, i.e. 40 years. Although the reactor's safety standards no longer meet the most recent requirements, even taking into account the scheduled modernisation work, the French government plans to extend its lifespan by at least ten years.
Greenpeace noted it has repeatedly warned of the risks posed by this power plant. A recent study by the organisation highlighted the risks linked to its extension and the fact that its modernisation as well as the fact that the planned upgrades are "not enough to remedy these significant safety flaws".
Therefore, Greenpeace called for this reactor built in the 1970s to be shut down as planned in 2026. The decision on the future of Cattenom 1 will have significant repercussions on the region and thus deserves, according to Greenpeace, “broad public participation”.
