\n After France raised the cost of its Cig\u00e9o nuclear waste storage project to \u20ac33.3 billion, an increase of more than \u20ac8 billion, authorities are preparing to open a public inquiry into the plan \u2013 which has long faced opposition from anti-nuclear groups. <\/p>\n
Issued on: 01\/04\/2026 – 17:46<\/p>\n
2 min Reading time\n<\/p>\n
The new estimated cost replaces a \u20ac25 billion figure set in 2016. It reflects updated costs and sits within a \u20ac26.1 to \u20ac37.5bn range set in May 2025 by the National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, which is leading the project.<\/p>\n
The government order, signed by Economy Minister Roland Lescure and Energy Minister Maud Br\u00e9geon, covers the entire lifespan of the site \u2013 from design and construction to operation and closure \u2013 over 151 years.<\/p>\n
It puts the initial construction cost at \u20ac9.74 billion. Taxes linked to the project are estimated at \u20ac3.66 billion.<\/p>\n
The revised estimate will be used as a reference by EDF<\/a>, Orano and the Atomic Energy Commission<\/a>, the three nuclear operators that fund the project under the “polluter pays” principle.<\/p>\n EU probes French aid to EDF over the construction of new nuclear reactors<\/a><\/p>\n Deep underground <\/p>\n Cig\u00e9o<\/a> is designed to store France\u2019s most radioactive nuclear waste 500 metres underground at a site in Bure in eastern France<\/a>. The site would hold 10,000 cubic metres of high-activity waste and 73,000 cubic metres of long-lived medium-activity waste produced by nuclear power plants.<\/p>\n When the cost was first set at \u20ac25 billion in 2016, based on earlier economic conditions, campaigners said it was \u201clargely underestimated\u201d.<\/p>\n The National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management filed a formal request for authorisation in January 2023. A final government decision is not expected before late 2027 or early 2028.<\/p>\n French media reports said the public inquiry had initially been planned for autumn and was still expected in early December when the ASNR<\/a>, France\u2019s nuclear safety and radiation watchdog, issued its final opinion on the construction authorisation request.<\/p>\n The long half-life of France\u2019s nuclear tests in Polynesia<\/a><\/p>\n Race against the calendar <\/p>\n Speaking at a meeting of public inquiry commissioners in Euville on Thursday, Meuse prefect Xavier Delarue said the public inquiry would begin on 18 May.<\/p>\n He said around 50 elected officials had been consulted before the schedule was brought forward, with a strong response rate and 75 percent of the opinions returned favourable.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was every reason to launch the public inquiry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Three commissioners, along with three alternates, have been appointed to examine the roughly 10,000-page file.<\/p>\n They will produce a report, which the agency must respond to by the end of the summer. \u201cIn September, I will write an overall report and send it to the ministry,\u201d Delarue said.<\/p>\n