Name of the Project
Flamanville 3 European pressurised reactor (EPR) project.

Location
Normandy, France.

Project Owner/s
Électricité de France (EDF).

Project Description
The Flamanville EPR is the first nuclear power station to be built in France in the past 15 years and the first third-generation-type plant. The nuclear plant will have a net electricity output of 1 650 MWe.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The project has been beset by cost increases. In October 2019, EDF said the necessary repairs to the reactor's main secondary system penetration welds would further increase the cost of building the Flamanville EPR, from an estimated €10.5-billion to €12.4-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction work began in December 2007.

Connection to the national grid is scheduled for the second half of 2024.

Latest Developments
The loading of the fuel assemblies into the core of the Flamanville 3 EPR has been completed ahead of its startup.

The pressurised water reactor is expected to reach 100% output before the end of the year.

According to EDF, the reactor vessel will shortly be closed, after which the temperature and pressure in the primary circuit will be gradually increased to 303°C and 155 bars respectively, when it will attain 'hot shutdown' conditions.

The first nuclear reaction – referred to as 'divergence' – will be carried out in the coming weeks, Wold Nuclear News reports. The reactor will then gradually increase power to 25% capacity, at which point the unit will be connected to the electricity grid. The EPR will continue to increase output in stages, reaching 100% capacity before the end of the year. 

During the next few months, tests and numerous checks will be undertaken to test about 1 500 safety criteria.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Areva (nuclear steam supply system); Bouygues (civil work); and Alstom (turbine island).

Contact Details for Project Information
EDF, tel +33 1 40 42 46 37 or email service-de-presse@edf.fr.