France Shares Progress on Cigéo During IAEA Webinar
On February 19., Andra took part in a webinar jointly organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.S. Department of Energy and the Energy Communities Alliance. This session, the fifth in a series dedicated to long-term solutions for high-level radioactive waste management, gave the Agency an opportunity to present the latest developments regarding France’s deep geological repository project, Cigéo.
During the webinar, Andra’s CEO, Lydie Evrard, together with Andra experts and representatives of the ASNR (the French Nuclear Safety and Radioprotection Authority), outlined the project’s progress, from its scientific foundations to its current regulatory stage and the next steps, including the public consultation coming later this year.
A project embedded in the French framework
Cigéo is being developed within a specific national context. France has a significant inventory of high-level and intermediate-level long-lived waste resulting from decades of nuclear electricity production and a long-standing policy of spent fuel reprocessing. Under this policy, high-level waste is intended for disposal, while spent fuel remains reusable material.
Another distinctive feature of the French approach is the legal principle of reversibility, enshrined in law following a national public debate and consultation process. This principle ensures that future generations retain the possibility to adapt decisions and management options over time, reflecting both technical considerations and societal expectations.
More than 25 years of scientific research
The technical foundations of Cigéo are built on over 25 years of research conducted at Andra’s Underground Research Laboratory. Extensive in situ experiments have been carried out to assess the long-term behaviour of the host rock and engineered barriers, including diffusion tests and full-scale demonstrators for both intermediate-level and high-level waste disposal concepts.
This progressive research programme has enabled the acquisition of substantial scientific and technological maturity, supporting the transition from research and development to the industrial implementation phase.
Licensing process and regulatory review
Andra submitted the construction licence application for Cigéo in 2023. The application underwent a thorough technical review over a 30-month period, led by the ASNR.
In its opinion issued in December 2025, the ASNR concluded that the safety report for both the operational and post-closure phases had reached a level of maturity consistent with regulatory expectations at this stage. The authority considered that the level of detail provided offers reasonable assurance that the safety demonstration can be confirmed in the next phases of the project.
As is usual in large-scale industrial projects, additional information will be required during the subsequent stages. Andra has committed to providing this information, notably within the framework of the planned industrial pilot phase, which is considered essential to further consolidate certain aspects and address remaining uncertainties, particularly regarding inventory evolution and future scenarios.
The licence decision is expected in 2027–2028.
Continuous stakeholder dialogue
Cigéo has been developed within a structured legal and societal framework. Since 1991, three laws and two national public debates have shaped the project’s trajectory, notably introducing the concept of reversibility following public consultation. Continuous dialogue has been maintained with national bodies, local information committees, elected representatives and residents in the area concerned by the project. Andra has also maintained a long-standing presence in the region for over 30 years, engaging regularly with local stakeholders. In the most recent consultation with local authorities and municipalities, 73% expressed a favourable opinion on the project.
A new public debate is scheduled for 2026, in accordance with the French Environmental Code, providing another opportunity for broad public participation.
Entering the implementation phase
In parallel with the regulatory process, preparatory works have begun on site. These include additional geological investigations, preventive archaeological operations and the development of temporary facilities. Further infrastructure works – including railway connections and utilities – will progressively follow.
These steps mark the transition of Cigéo from a long research phase towards concrete implementation, while maintaining the project’s guiding principles of safety, transparency and adaptability.
The full replay of the webinar held on February 19 is available on the IAEA website.