The nuclear disaster in Japan on 11 March 2011 remains a lasting memory and prompted nuclear power plants to strengthen their protection against external risks and to improve their equipment, ensuring that water supply and electricity would continue to function in a crisis.
From 8 to 11 September, special teams carried out exercises around the Cattenom nuclear power station in France. Such drills are held every three to four years. The scenario simulated was a large-scale earthquake, far stronger than any recorded in the region of Clervaux, according to plant director Jérôme le Saint.
This extreme situation would knock out not only all rescue measures but also the additional safeguards introduced after Fukushima, such as the storm protection designed to withstand tornadoes or the backup diesel generators.
The greatest challenge in any nuclear emergency is to keep the reactor core cool. Le Saint stressed that the fuel must be continuously cooled to prevent it from melting and to avoid the release of radioactive material.
Even if earthquake damage made it impossible to enter the plant, the Nuclear Rapid Response Force (FARN) would be able to supply water and electricity to all emergency equipment, explained Olivier le Roux, head of FARN's crisis unit. This would ensure that the reactor pool could continue to be cooled.
FARN consists of 300 specialists trained in radiation management. The intervention unit has 45 lorries, five barges, 18 four-wheel drives, helicopters, and a fleet of remote-controlled robots. In a real emergency, the first teams could be on site within 12 hours, with the full response in place within 24.
For this week's exercise, 75 FARN members were deployed along with part of their equipment.
On Mirgenbach Lake, one group rehearsed the transport of replacement staff and equipment, with the lake serving as an obstacle to simulate blocked access routes to the plant. The teams must be able to reach the site even if the roads are unusable.
The main aim of the exercise was to test coordination between the plant teams, FARN, and the fire services, as well as to put crisis management procedures through their paces.