France's Andra updates estimate for Cigéo deep geological repository: Costs could reach EUR 37.5 billion
France's radioactive waste management agency Andra has published an updated estimate of the total costs of constructing, operating and closing the Cigéo deep geological repository. The project, planned for clay formations near the village of Bure in eastern France, is a key part of the national strategy for the long-term disposal of high- and intermediate-level radioactive waste with long half-lives.
Cost range and financing
According to the latest estimate, the total cost of the Cigéo project is between 26.1 and 37.5 billion EUR (in 2012 prices), equivalent to approximately CZK 650 to 935 billion. The repository will be funded by the waste producers—EDF, Orano and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Andra is responsible for the facility's construction and management.
Cigéo (Centre Industriel de Stockage Géologique) will consist of a system of underground tunnels where radioactive waste will be safely stored several hundred metres below ground.
Evolution of cost estimates
The total cost estimate is developed through an iterative process that takes into account technical developments, legislative requirements and feedback from stakeholders. The final cost is to be set by a decree from France's Minister for Industry and Energy by the end of 2025. This will follow consultations with the main waste producers and an opinion from the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).
Andra notes that the first estimate, issued in 2005, stood at 13.5 to 16.5 billion EUR. It was raised to around 36 billion EUR in 2009. A revised estimate of 34.4 billion EUR was published in 2014; in prices at the time, it included, for example, 19.8 billion for construction, 8.8 billion for 100 years of operation, 4.1 billion for taxes and 1.7 billion for other expenses.
| Year | Estimated costs (EUR bn) |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 13.5–16.5 |
| 2009 | ~36 |
| 2014 | 34.4 (in 2012 prices) |
| 2025 | 26.1–37.5 (current range) |
Breakdown of the current estimate
In its latest version, Andra provides a detailed breakdown of the main cost items:
- Construction and commissioning: 7.9 to 9.6 billion EUR. This includes design (excluding research and development costs), surface infrastructure, preparation of disposal areas, taxes and insurance.
- Operating costs from the planned start-up in 2050: 140 to 220 million EUR per year. Over a total period of 100 to 120 years, these cover operation, phased construction, maintenance, refurbishment, decommissioning and final closure. Total: 16.5 to 25.9 billion EUR.
- Research and development (including operation and closure of the underground laboratory): 1.7 to 2 billion EUR.
Next steps and timeline
The cost estimate is closely linked to the project's updated schedule. This takes into account the need to complete the technical documentation, make design changes defined in 2016 and prepare the application for a construction permit. The permit is expected to be issued around the turn of 2027 and 2028. Operations are scheduled to begin, with the first waste containers to be placed in the repository, in 2050.
The ministerial decree on costs, due by the end of 2025, will provide a binding reference framework not only for financial planning but also for further updates to the estimate throughout the project's life cycle.
Translation disclaimer
This article is a machine translation of the Czech original and has not yet been fully reviewed. In case of any doubt, please refer to the Czech version.
