EDF plans radioactive metal recycling facility at Fessenheim site
EDF plans radioactive metal recycling facility at decommissioning Fessenheim site.
Event / Energy
Fessenheim Nuclear Decommissioning
French government authorizes complete decommissioning of Fessenheim nuclear power plant in Haut-Rhin. Decommissioning scheduled for completion by June 30, 2048, conducted in four stages. Nuclear Safety Authority issued favorable opinion on January 29, 2026. EDF plans radioactive metal recycling facility opening in 2031.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 May, 11:36 UTC
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What happened
Nuclear safety authority issues favorable opinion on Fessenheim decommissioning
The French Nuclear Safety and Radioprotection Authority (ASNR) issued a favorable opinion on January 29, 2026, supporting the decommissioning plan for Fessenheim. This positive assessment preceded and enabled the government's official authorization through the May 1 decree.
Fessenheim nuclear plant closed in 2020
The Fessenheim nuclear power plant, located in Haut-Rhin, France, was closed in 2020. Following the shutdown, several years were dedicated to fuel withdrawal and preparatory decommissioning operations before the formal authorization of complete decommissioning was granted in 2026.
French government authorizes complete decommissioning of Fessenheim nuclear plant
The French government published a decree on May 3, 2026, in the Official Journal authorizing EDF to completely decommission the Fessenheim nuclear power plant in Haut-Rhin. The decree, dated May 1 and signed by the Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, and Minister of Energy, sets the operational modalities and timeline for decommissioning, including the sensitive nuclear island components such as reactor buildings 1 and 2, as well as conventional facilities. The decree prescribes EDF to carry out the decommissioning operations, defines the stages, and authorizes creation of necessary equipment.
Fessenheim decommissioning scheduled for completion by June 30, 2048
The decommissioning of Fessenheim nuclear plant will be completed in four stages: decommissioning itself, decontamination of structures and soils, demolition of buildings to a depth of at least one meter, and site rehabilitation. The operations must be completed by June 30, 2048. Gaseous, liquid, and radioactive effluent releases, particularly during draining of reactor and fuel building pools, will be subject to strict control as specified in the decree.
EDF plans radioactive metal recycling facility at Fessenheim site
EDF plans to establish a facility for recycling weakly radioactive metals near the Fessenheim site by reusing auxiliary buildings from the former nuclear plant. The facility is projected to open in 2031, generating regional tensions and concerns among local residents about continued nuclear activities at the location.
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2 alternative perspectives
France authorizes Fessenheim decommissioning through 2048
France authorizes Fessenheim decommissioning with completion target of June 2048.