Energy French pressurized water reactor Flamanville connected to the grid
After 17 years of construction and a delay of twelve years, the EPR nuclear reactor in Flamanville, France, was connected to the grid on Saturday. It is the first time in 25 years that a new reactor has gone into operation in France.
21.12.2024, 15:00
SDA
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke of a "great moment" for the country on Linkedin. Nuclear power will strengthen France's competitiveness and protect the climate, Macron emphasized.
The European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) in Flamanville, which was built in 2007, was originally due to be connected to the grid in 2012, but its completion was continually delayed due to technical problems and breakdowns. The total costs were last estimated by the utility company EDF at 13.2 billion euros, around four times more than planned.
The French Court of Auditors had even estimated the costs at 19 billion in 2020. The French nuclear regulator has obliged EDF to replace the reactor's cover in 2026 after weak points were discovered in the steel.
With an output of 1600 megawatts, the EPR reactor is the most powerful nuclear reactor in France. According to EDF, it will initially only operate at 20 percent of its capacity, with full load operation not due to start until the summer of next year.
There are currently three EPR reactors in operation worldwide, one in Finland and two in China. France has a total of 56 nuclear reactors and is planning to build 14 more, based on a simplified model of the EPR reactor.
