“We have been living with this sword of Damocles above our heads for eight years. It ended up falling on us. By being hired by EDF in 2003 to work at the Fessenheim nuclear power plant (Haut-Rhin), Arnaud Ritzenthaler, 37, was far from imagining that the adventure would one day end in this way, with the shutdown of the oldest power station in France. Raymond, his father, himself entered it in 1982 as an operating agent. He then participated in the start-up of another nuclear power plant, that of Nogent-sur-Seine, in Aube.
"We have the feeling of a huge mess," says Arnaud in a calm voice over coffee in the small shopping area at the entrance to the village. The plant has been perfectly maintained and modernized over time. Besides, the Nuclear Safety Authority itself has recognized that it is still good for service. "
Neither Arnaud, nor Raymond, nor even all the employees of the plant, or those who have already retired, understand this decision. “It's purely political, regrets the thirty-something. Otherwise, it was also necessary to close the Bugey power station in Ain and all the others that will reach forty years of operation. It does not make sense and it is not respectful of all the maintenance and modernization work that has been done here. "
The after-central? Arnaud has been thinking about it for a long time already. “We discussed this a lot with my wife. But, for me, there was no question of asking him to sacrifice anything. Her work in the pharmaceutical industry appeals to her. "
He looks towards hydroelectric
At the central, Arnaud takes care of the logistics of spare parts. This ranges from simple air filters to earthquake-proofing or anti-radiation equipment, parts that can weigh several tonnes. Problem: the bridges between nuclear power and other sectors are not always obvious. But Arnaud has an idea in mind: twelve hydroelectric dams mark out the Rhine between Basel and Lauterbourg, on nearly 185 km of common border between France, Switzerland and Germany.
The plants operated by EDF produce the equivalent of half of Alsace's electricity consumption. A reconversion in the renewable, the sense of history? "It would mark a new start," he admits. But this will never erase the 17 years spent in the nuclear industry. The requirement and team spirit as well as the concept of public service pegged to the body. I would like to find that in my next job. "
