Lydie Evrard, Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Head of the IAEA´s Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, visited company JAVYS on 19 June 2024. The expert working meeting was primarily focused on the V1 NPP decommissioning in Jaslovské Bohunice. After an introductory presentation and familiarization with the mission and activities of the company and V1 NPP decommissioning projects, she visited the site and turbine hall, main reactor building and auxiliary operations building. Ms. Evrard was accompanied by Juraj Rovný from the IAEA, Marta Žiaková, Chairwoman of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic (NRA SR) and the regulator’s inspectors.
You were appointed Deputy Director General and Head of the IAEA's Department of Nuclear Safety and Security on 1 April 2021. How do you see and assess your cooperation with company JAVYS, which is one of the six Collaborating Centres with the IAEA in the world, over the past three years?
The cooperation with JAVYS has been highly valuable. The IAEA designated JAVYS as one of the Collaborating Centres to support IAEA Member States in nuclear facility decommissioning and radioactive waste management. This collaboration benefits the entire international community. Many of our member states can draw from JAVYS’s experience, and as I heard today, this knowledge transfer is already happening through JAVYS’s cooperation with Bulgaria and other countries. The IAEA actively promotes and facilitates such cooperation projects to share best practices and unique knowledge gained by JAVYS. During my visit, I expressed gratitude to JAVYS’s management and the accompanying experts for their support and cooperation in our international activities related to decommissioning and waste management.
Today you have had a chance to visit the site and see the progress of the V1 NPP decommissioning. What is your impression from today´s site visit?
My visit to the V1 NPP decommissioning site today has left me confident that countries capable of safely operating nuclear facilities can also execute well-organized decommissioning projects. V1 serves as an excellent example, demonstrating that decommissioning a nuclear power plant is a realistic and manageable endeavour. Furthermore, the experience gained from V1’s decommissioning underscores that the amount of radioactive waste generated during this process can be made minimal and handled safely, when using appropriate technology and qualified staff.
In the past, you were in charge of the Ministry of the Environment in the Paris region. Today you work in the nuclear energy sector. How could we convince representatives of “green organisations” that nuclear energy is safe and can be beneficial to the planet because it is emission-free?
Rather than dividing society into ‘green organizations’ and others, we should recognize that safety whose fundamental objective is to protect people and the environment is a shared goal. Each country has the autonomy to choose its energy mix, but safety considerations must remain paramount. Nuclear energy stands out as one of the most cost-effective paths for decarbonizing electricity production. As the head of the IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, my ongoing commitment is to assist our member states in safely and securely operating their nuclear facilities, contributing to a sustainable and emission-free energy future.
Many opponents of the nuclear energy argue about the burden of the waste it generates. However, you were also the head of the Department of Waste, Decommissioning, Fuel Cycle Facilities, Research Facilities and Contaminated Land Remediation at the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN). You dealt with radiation protection and nuclear safety issues. Together with the Department of Energy, you were responsible for the National Plan for Radioactive Materials and Waste Management. Can you try to explain to the public that company JAVYS is working in such a way that Slovakia is seen as one of the countries that has mastered the nuclear back-end fuel cycle?
As Deputy Director General of the IAEA, my role does not involve assessing specific companies like JAVYS. However, I can provide context. The responsibility for assessing JAVYS's activities lies with the national regulatory authority. Their role is to ensure that all operations are conducted safely, with minimal impact on people and the environment. In Slovakia, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic, which is a regulatory authority in the field of nuclear safety, plays a crucial role. The NRA SR collaborates extensively with the IAEA, actively participating in international peer review missions on safety aspects that independently assess regulatory frameworks, operational safety, and nuclear back-end activities. Slovakia's rich history in nuclear energy positions it well to share valuable decommissioning expertise with other countries.
You have coordinated the stress tests at the fuel cycle facilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident. How did this enriching experience affect you?
Throughout my career, I have held various positions, which have all been unique experiences. Conducting the Complementary Safety Assessments for the French nuclear facilities after the Fukushima Daiichi accident, in accordance with the European Union stress tests, was particularly challenging. It involved re-assessing safety across numerous nuclear facilities in a tailored manner—an unprecedented effort. Beyond nuclear power plants, it included other types of facilities, in particular fuel cycle and research facilities. Looking back, this endeavour significantly enhanced nuclear safety practices and provided valuable lessons for the industry.
“Thank you very much for this fascinating visit and this opportunity to observe on the field so many decommissioning related activities. Very much appreciated, in particular this unique visit to the reactor shaft. Best wishes for the continuation of decommissioning in an efficient and safe way”, wrote the Deputy Director General of the IAEA in the commemorative book.
