Cigéo

Cigéo, short for *Centre industriel de stockage géologique de l'Aube*, is a planned deep geological repository for the long-term storage of France’s high-level radioactive waste. Located in Bure, in the department of Haute-Marne, northeastern France, the facility is designed to safely isolate radioactive materials for hundreds of thousands of years. The project is managed by the French national radioactive waste management agency, ANDRA (Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs), and is part of France’s broader strategy to manage nuclear waste responsibly.

The repository will store spent nuclear fuel and other highly radioactive waste generated by France’s nuclear power plants. The site was selected in 2007 after extensive geological studies identified the Callovo-Oxfordian clay layer as an ideal host rock due to its low permeability, stability, and ability to isolate waste from the biosphere. The facility is planned to operate in two phases: an underground research laboratory (already active since 2000) to study the geological environment, and the full-scale repository, expected to begin operations in the mid-2030s, with waste storage starting around 2040.

Cigéo’s design involves storing waste in underground galleries at a depth of approximately 500 meters. The waste will be encapsulated in copper containers surrounded by bentonite clay, which will expand when exposed to water, further enhancing containment. The project has faced significant public debate, with concerns raised about potential risks, the reversibility of the decision, and the long-term safety of the site. ANDRA has conducted extensive safety assessments and public consultations to address these concerns, but opposition persists from environmental groups, local communities, and some political factions.

The construction of Cigéo is subject to regulatory approvals, including environmental impact assessments and safety reviews by France’s nuclear safety authority, ASN (Autorité de sûreté nucléaire). If approved, it will be one of the world’s first deep geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste, setting a precedent for nuclear waste management in France and beyond. The project reflects France’s commitment to nuclear energy while addressing the challenges of waste disposal in a sustainable and secure manner.