EPR Flamanville: EDF schedule “possible but tense”, indicates ASN

Europe 1 with AFP 2:40 p.m., January 30, 2024

The timetable for authorizing the commissioning of the first French EPR at Flamanville, targeted for the end of March 2024 by the operator EDF, is “possible but tense”, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) indicated on Tuesday. “It is possible, but it is very tense, there is no margin, particularly if EDF does not provide the last elements that we have requested,” indicated Bernard Doroszczuk, the president of the ASN, gendarme nuclear power, during its annual press conference at the start of the year.

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“It will be difficult, but it is possible”

He notably cited elements related to the "overall preparation of the site to operate" and "a few points which remain in terms of attestation of conformity of certain pressure equipment". EDF is aiming for commissioning at the end of March with the first stage which will consist of loading the uranium fuel into the reactor, before the first megawatts can be produced during the year.

“It will be difficult, but it is possible. The timetable is tense and we will make our decision when we have all the elements that we expect from EDF,” declared the president of ASN, at who is responsible for giving or not giving the green light to the commissioning authorization request. In May 2023, the organization carried out "a number of inspections, including a very important review inspection, which lasted a week with several dozen inspectors, experts from ASN and IRSN (Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, sector expert, Editor's note), to check EDF's state of readiness for the commissioning of the reactor", described Bernard Doroszczuk.

Authorization before loading fuel

“This inspection made it possible to highlight the needs which still remained important on the part of EDF to control the operating documentation, that is to say the transition from the manufacturer to that of operator of the reactor”, said he added. “If all goes well, we could be required to put the commissioning authorization project into consultation (...) towards the end of February” and for a period of one month.

Once authorization has been obtained, EDF will be able to load the fuel, then there will be an increase in power in stages, before coupling to the electricity network: the group is aiming for a connection in mid-2024. It will take several months before it reaches full power.