In an interview published Friday, the French interior minister said security would be tightened at the country’s nuclear plants after Greenpeace activists jumped fences at the Nogent and Cruas plants last month.
Claude Gueant told the Parisien newspaper anti-intrusion equipment would be enhanced where needed. While Gueant didn’t list plant-specific upgrades, the paper provided an overview of the general security measures in place at the Penly plant on the Normandy coast. Off-limits airspace around the facility is monitored by radar and readily protected by military aircraft. On site, infrared sensors and 300 cameras monitor the plant. Workers must pass through metal detectors and checkpoints requiring a badge and a code. The site is further protected by 38 sniper-trained guards equipped with night vision goggles. In addition to a perimeter fence, two additional fences protect areas housing non-nuclear and nuclear equipment, with progressively tighter security within them.
In early December Greenpeace activists were caught on the grounds of two plants. At Nogent, nine protesters entered the plant and some climbed a reactor shield building. Two others hid for 14 hours on the grounds of the Cruas plant.