Luxembourg to Participate in Cross-Border Exercise ‘Cattenom 2026’

On Monday 1 June 2026, Luxembourg’s High Commission for National Protection, Directorate of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Social Security announced that Luxembourg will participate in a large-scale nuclear safety and civil protection exercise at the Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant (CNPE) and at the Moselle Prefecture on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 June 2026.

Organised by the French authorities and taking place every five years, the exercise aims to test the preparedness and coordination of stakeholders in the event of a nuclear crisis. It involves numerous participants in France as well as in neighbouring countries, notably Luxembourg and Germany (both at federal level and in the Länder of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland), in order to strengthen cross-border cooperation.

According to the High Commission for National Protection, the fictional scenario, kept confidential until the start of the exercise, will simulate a threat situation linked to a technical accident that could result in the release of radioactivity. This approach is designed to ensure realistic responses and to test existing arrangements under conditions that closely resemble a real-life situation. No particular action is expected from the public during the exercise.

In this context, Luxembourg will activate its national crisis management structures from the beginning of the exercise:

• the Radiological Assessment Unit (CER), responsible for the technical analysis of the situation;

• the Crisis Unit (CC), convened at the National Crisis Centre (HCPN) to coordinate decisions;

• the Communication and Information Unit (CCI), responsible for public information and ensuring consistency of messaging;

• a liaison officer deployed to Metz to facilitate communication with the French authorities.

Regular exchanges, notably via videoconference, will ensure close coordination with the French authorities and other international partners.

The High Commission for National Protection said the exercise provides an opportunity to test the reorganisation of cross-border alert procedures, and particular attention will be paid to crisis communication, both between authorities and with the public, in order to ensure information is consistent, rapid and reliable.

Luxembourg’s participation aims to:

• test the receipt and processing of alerts;

• assess the implementation of the Government Crisis Management Plan in the event of a nuclear accident;

• verify the functioning of crisis management structures, in particular the CER, CCI and CC;

• strengthen cross-border coordination and information exchange;

• ensure consistent communication with the French authorities.

Luxembourg’s participation in this exercise also forms part of the implementation of the National Resilience Strategy (SNR), through the “Lëtz prepare!” initiative, which aims to strengthen the country’s ability to anticipate, absorb and overcome major crises.

The High Commission for National Protection noted: “Through its active participation in this exercise, Luxembourg reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a high level of preparedness for nuclear risks and to effectively protecting the population through strengthened international cooperation.”