On Tuesday 20 October 2026, Greenpeace Luxembourg published a new study highlighting significant safety shortcomings at Reactor 1 of the Cattenom nuclear power plant in France, questioning whether its operation should continue beyond its originally planned 40-year lifespan.
The study examines the implementation of safety measures introduced following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, as well as documented incidents at the plant.
October 2026 marks 40 years of operation for Cattenom's Reactor 1, reaching its originally envisaged design lifespan, although French nuclear reactors are not subject to a fixed legal operating limit of 40 years. In early 2027, the reactor is expected to shut down for approximately six months for its fourth ten-year inspection. This period will allow for extensive inspections, maintenance work and modifications intended to improve the facility's safety. A public consultation on the reactor's future operating conditions is also planned as part of a possible extension of its operation.
According to Greenpeace Luxembourg, the study shows that Reactor 1 does not meet current safety requirements applicable to new nuclear power plants and cannot be fully upgraded to meet these standards, even through retrofitting.
The report identifies fundamental differences between the original technical design of older facilities such as Cattenom and today's safety standards. Among the main weaknesses, it highlights insufficient redundancy and physical separation of safety systems, as well as concerns about their resistance to earthquakes.
The study also points to inadequate protection against certain natural hazards, aircraft crashes and drone attacks, alongside ageing-related problems, a loss of technical expertise and indications of shortcomings in safety culture.
Greenpeace Luxembourg questioned whether extending the reactor's operation would be responsible, warning that a serious nuclear accident could also affect neighbouring Luxembourg and Germany.
The organisation also raised concerns about the lack of confirmed dates for an environmental impact assessment and cross-border consultation, as required under the Espoo Convention. It noted that previous assessments concerning extensions to French nuclear reactors had significant shortcomings.
Greenpeace Luxembourg therefore urged neighbouring countries to consider legal action against a possible extension of Cattenom Reactor 1's operation, calling for a transparent environmental assessment and public consultation.
Roger Spautz of Greenpeace Luxembourg concluded: "Reactor No. 1 at the Cattenom nuclear power plant must not operate beyond its originally planned 40-year lifespan as long as fundamental safety shortcomings remain and the necessary upgrade work has not been completed. Greenpeace Luxembourg therefore calls on the French authorities and operator EDF to abandon any extension of its operation and shut down the reactor once its planned lifespan has been reached. Although upgrade work can improve safety, it cannot remedy all the weaknesses of a facility built several decades ago according to different standards. Protecting the population must take priority over the continued operation of an ageing nuclear power plant."
To read the full report, visit Greenpeace study.
