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CapexCue · Public evidence · Printed 11 Nov 2026
Explore projects / Project dossier

Cigéo, the planned deep geological storage centre for radioactive waste.

France · Water and environment

In-depth research Release 1

Project scope

A deep geological repository intended for high-activity (HA) and long-lived intermediate-activity (MA-VL) radioactive waste. The described design includes underground galleries and disposal cells, with connections between surface and underground facilities. The assessment distinguishes the repository project from its successive construction, operation and post-closure phases.

Reported status and procurement

Reported development

Plan: The plan is progressive and reversible. The assessment describes the next 30 years primarily as a major construction period, followed by industrial operation spanning generations and, eventually, passive storage after closure. It also describes an industrial pilot phase. The first waste packages are not expected before at least 25 years from the assessment; these are stated planning horizons, not confirmed start dates.

Procurement availability
Unknown / not established

Reported regulatory context

Declared of public utility in 2022. An environmental authorization was granted on 11 July 2025 on the basis of the DR0 file for initial characterization and environmental-surveillance operations; this is distinct from the creation authorization needed to start construction. The creation-authorization application was under review by the nuclear safety authority at the assessment date; the ASNR opinion of 25 November 2025 preceded a creation decree then expected in 2028. The assessment is an environmental authority opinion and is neither favorable nor unfavorable to the project.

A source report alone does not establish current progress or an open buying window.

Project summary

Cigéo — planned deep geological radioactive-waste repository

Cigéo is a planned deep geological repository for France’s high-activity (HA) and long-lived intermediate-activity (MA-VL) radioactive waste. The environmental assessment describes its purpose as long-term passive containment and identifies it as the reference management solution for these waste categories.

The project is located at Saudron in Haute-Marne and Bure in Meuse, on the boundary between the departments. Andra is identified as the principal project owner and is responsible for the repository layout, engineered components and authorization-related procedures.

The plan is progressive and reversible, with construction, an industrial pilot phase, operation and eventual post-closure storage. In the environmental authority’s opinion dated 18 December 2025, construction was described as the principal activity over the next 30 years; operation was expected to span generations, and the first waste packages were not expected before at least 25 years from the assessment. These are planning horizons, not confirmed start dates.

At the assessment date, the project had been declared of public utility in 2022 and had received environmental authorization on 11 July 2025 for initial characterization and environmental-surveillance operations. The separate creation-authorization application was under review; a creation decree was forecast for 2028. The authority’s opinion is neither favorable nor unfavorable to the project.

Evidence limits and unknowns

The 18 December 2025 opinion forecast a creation decree in 2028; the supplied evidence does not confirm whether it was issued afterward or whether construction has begun.

The supplied extracts do not establish procurement arrangements, contractors, awarded work packages, final implementation dates, or secured funding amounts and provisioning arrangements.

This summary is based on selected text from pages 2–12 and 60–61 of the 61-page opinion; pages 13–59 and graphical content were not interpreted.

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Project metadata

Country
France
Based on reviewed release evidence
Region
Europe
Category
Water and environment
Derived from released evidence
Physical assets
Not classified

Based on this release's supporting evidence. Unresolved fields remain unclassified; these labels do not establish current progress or a buying window.

Released facts and supporting evidence

Each fact retains its source, uncertainty and time context. If a publisher page moves or is unavailable, use the recorded quotation and observation date below.

Project name

Source reported

Cigéo, the planned deep geological storage centre for radioactive waste.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · Cigéo, the planned deep geological storage centre for …
Evidence location
page:2
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
af7eba12-f9ac-4c43-99b2-9a9f702039b5
Evidence reference
fa8690fc-88f7-46f4-9844-df7312ea1ca5
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Scope

Source reported

A deep geological repository intended for high-activity (HA) and long-lived intermediate-activity (MA-VL) radioactive waste. The described design includes underground galleries and disposal cells, with connections between surface and underground facilities. The assessment distinguishes the repository project from its successive construction, operation and post-closure phases.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · A deep geological repository intended for high-activity (HA) …
Evidence location
page:3
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
944f326b-c66f-4e03-b554-b66233658730
Evidence reference
7b162395-2549-4c9f-9e9c-3fc76d28c866
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Country

Source reported

France.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · France.
Evidence location
page:3
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
e981ec6b-5cf5-41e8-bbd9-6e610c2fca5a
Evidence reference
7b162395-2549-4c9f-9e9c-3fc76d28c866
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Project ecology

Source reported

The environmental assessment identifies long-term safety after closure, possible radioactive contamination of the environment including water, human exposure following radioactive-substance dispersal, and protection of natural environments and biodiversity as principal issues. These are identified concerns, not findings that such impacts have occurred.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · The environmental assessment identifies long-term safety after closure, …
Evidence location
page:3
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
d51917d0-048a-41c6-af01-4c1a3436d5bd
Evidence reference
7b162395-2549-4c9f-9e9c-3fc76d28c866
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Current activity

Planned

The stated purpose is long-term, passive containment of HA and MA-VL radioactive waste in deep geological storage. The assessment says Cigéo is intended as the French reference management solution for these waste categories.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · The stated purpose is long-term, passive containment of …
Evidence location
page:3
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
29e48711-09da-4748-9464-a28445837525
Evidence reference
7b162395-2549-4c9f-9e9c-3fc76d28c866
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Delivery

Planned

The plan is progressive and reversible. The assessment describes the next 30 years primarily as a major construction period, followed by industrial operation spanning generations and, eventually, passive storage after closure. It also describes an industrial pilot phase. The first waste packages are not expected before at least 25 years from the assessment; these are stated planning horizons, not confirmed start dates.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · The plan is progressive and reversible. The assessment …
Evidence location
page:3
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
10f4380f-a498-425a-a358-8b925f688934
Evidence reference
7b162395-2549-4c9f-9e9c-3fc76d28c866
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Location

Source reported

At Saudron in Haute-Marne (department 52) and Bure in Meuse (department 55), at the boundary between the two departments.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · At Saudron in Haute-Marne (department 52) and Bure …
Evidence location
page:2
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
aa52f24b-fdd7-4c16-a6cf-ce12b3f69cfc
Evidence reference
fa8690fc-88f7-46f4-9844-df7312ea1ca5
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Developer

Source reported

The Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs (Andra) is identified as the principal project owner. It defined the repository layout, designed the engineered components, and is responsible for procedures relating to project authorization, environmental assessment and the overall safety demonstration.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · The Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets …
Evidence location
page:6
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
5255e222-9b94-4c50-a231-25d1364b62aa
Evidence reference
5e78e592-022b-416f-942d-9397f21a8595
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Regulatory evidence

Source reported

Declared of public utility in 2022. An environmental authorization was granted on 11 July 2025 on the basis of the DR0 file for initial characterization and environmental-surveillance operations; this is distinct from the creation authorization needed to start construction. The creation-authorization application was under review by the nuclear safety authority at the assessment date; the ASNR opinion of 25 November 2025 preceded a creation decree then expected in 2028. The assessment is an environmental authority opinion and is neither favorable nor unfavorable to the project.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · Declared of public utility in 2022. An environmental …
Evidence location
page:2
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
3d0890ec-ac1f-4435-b531-138d0a359106
Evidence reference
fa8690fc-88f7-46f4-9844-df7312ea1ca5
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf

Next milestone

Planned

The creation decree was expected in 2028 in the assessment, following the ASNR opinion; the source states that creation authorization is needed before construction can start. This is a forecast in the 2025 assessment, not confirmation that the decree was subsequently issued.

Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts.

Source: IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text · publication date not recorded · observed 2026-10-02

Sources and evidence · IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Source published: Not recordedObserved: 2026-10-02

IGEDD environmental authority native opinion text
Attributed to IGEDD Autorité environnementale opinion: authority synthesis and attributed developer facts

Technical record · The creation decree was expected in 2028 in …
Evidence location
page:3
Claim confidence
0.90 on a 0–1 evidence-support scaleNot a probability of project success or procurement availability.
Claim reference
e76d007d-7c28-45cc-9730-b7434c188a9b
Evidence reference
7b162395-2549-4c9f-9e9c-3fc76d28c866
Source revision
7b434754-a2dc-4c3e-ae51-9480f3e30a3e
Content fingerprint
cf150d695d6972ab89540880c5b2697e76b1bf9859568db8161ee3ba188e38d9
Source address
https://www.igedd.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/4_-_demande_d_autorisation_de_creation_du_centre_de_stockage_de_dechets_radioactifs_cigeo_cle0153dd.pdf
Source report history

Prior and superseded states remain labelled. Dates below identify source publication when known, otherwise source observation. They are not assumed event dates; each fact retains its own time qualifications.

  1. No material timeline events have been released.

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