A major nuclear accident at France’s Cattenom power plant could contaminate the entire surface of Luxembourg, according to a recent report commissioned by Greenpeace Luxembourg. The four reactors are located just eight kilometres from Luxembourg’s southern border, a proximity that has been causing tensions between the two countries since the plant became operational in the mid-1980s.

Scenario maps published by Greenpeace show that millions of people in the surrounding countries would also be impacted. The NGO is raising concerns about the safety of the Cattenom nuclear power plant, highlighting that its risk prevention features do not meet current standards.

The report emerges amid debates about potentially extending the reactor’s lifespan beyond the initially planned 40 years. Luxembourg has long been opposing the planned extension. However, as energy policy remains a matter of national sovereignty, it does not really have a say.