Speakers
Description
The development of Cigéo, the French deep geological repository project, is organized in several successive phases. The first years of the repository construction and operation corresponds to the “industrial pilot phase” (Phipil).
The principle of a “Phipil” was adopted by Andra following 2013 Public Debate on the project. This is a cautious approach proposed by Andra for the stepwise construction and startup of this new type of industrial facility. Since 2016, the “Phipil” has been a legal requirement enshrined in the environmental code (article L. 542-10-1).
From the technical standpoint, the Phipil main objective is to consolidate, under actual repository and industrial operation conditions, Cigeo design and safety demonstration, and to test the reversibility of the disposal process.
From the governance standpoint, the Phipil constitutes for public and all stakeholders a knowledge acquisition phase for refining their requests on their participation and involvement to Cigeo industrial operation. It will enable them to work more effectively on the preparation and follow-up of the decisions to be taken during this phase and to gradually prepare those to be taken afterwards. Results of the Phipil will feed a law establishing the conditions of development and operation of Cigeo on a longer run.
