Flamanville EPR: EDF's solution to repair the latest anomalies validated

Europe 1 with AFP 2:23 p.m., October 20, 2021

The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) on Wednesday deemed "acceptable" the solution proposed by EDF to repair the latest problem on the site of the EPR reactor at Flamanville, in the English Channel, that of the so-called "branching" welds, all by asking for additional information.

The nuclear gendarme explains that he is not opposed to the installation of a retaining collar on these piping connections suffering from a "design deviation", thus preventing EDF from more complex repairs which would have threatened the start-up of this reactor. of new generation at the end of 2022, after already ten years of delay.

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A solution "acceptable in principle"

ASN "considers that the solution proposed by EDF is acceptable in principle" but "will give a final decision when EDF has provided the expected elements concerning the demonstration of the efficiency of the device, the design, manufacturing and installation requirements. operation applicable to the collars and the quality of the implantation welds around which these collars will be mounted, ”she said in a note. "We have no objection in principle to the proposed solution, but EDF remains on the side of finalizing the design of this solution and asking ASN on the basis of a technical file so that we can conclude definitely ", explained Julien Collet, deputy director general of ASN.

ASN made public in March a design deviation reported by EDF concerning three taps on the main primary circuit - in which the water which cools the reactor core circulates - of the EPR under construction.

The tapping corresponds to the part of a pipe which connects it to another.

There were three options: consolidate the nozzles with retaining collars, cut and replace the sections in question, or finally repair the welds.

Only the first, which was favored by EDF, made it possible to meet the schedule, which has already experienced significant delays.

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The schedule maintained 

"EDF does not mention the need to review its schedule for the implementation of this device" collar, while the other solutions would have taken "several years", believes Julien Collet.

The Flamanville EPR, whose construction began in December 2007, was initially due to be put into service in 2012, but its site was affected by many setbacks and additional costs.

France plans to build six additional EPRs but has not made a decision yet.