Flamanville EPR in France starts supplying electricity
EDF teams have achieved the first connection of the Flamanville EPR (European Pressurized Reactor) to the national grid and the reactor is now generating electricity. Since the first nuclear reaction on 3 September 2024, EDF teams have conducted a series of tests and inspections to gradually increase the reactor's power.
Flamanville 3 reactor, in France, was connected to the national grid on 21 December 2024 at 11:48 am. Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF stated: "The coupling of the Flamanville EPR is a historical moment for the entire nuclear sector. I would like to salute all the teams who have met the challenges encountered during this project with the greatest tenacity and never compromising on safety. Flamanville 3 joins the three EPRs already in operation in the world, in China and Finland".
Nowadays there are four EPRs in operation in China, Finland and France and two units are currently under construction in UK
Following this initial coupling, in accordance with the startup operations, the phases of testing and of connection and disconnection to the grid will continue for several months, under the supervision of the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN), until the reactor reaches 100% power. Starting up a reactor is a long and complex operation, explains EDF in a press release: “It requires the full mobilization of teams and is carried out at each stage with the highest level of safety and industrial reliability”.
Construction work began in December 2007 on the third unit at the Flamanville site - where two reactors have been operating since 1986 and 1987-. The dome of the reactor building was put in place in July 2013 and the reactor vessel was installed in January 2014. The reactor was originally expected to start commercial operation in 2013 but has faced a series of delays, informs World Nuclear News (WNN).
The first EPR units came online at Taishan in China, where unit 1 became the first EPR to enter commercial operation in 2018 followed by Taishan 2 in September 2019. In Europe, Olkiluoto 3 in Finland entered commercial operation in 2023, and two units are currently under construction at Hinkley Point C in the UK, WNN explains.
Cover image: EDF
