EDF CEO Luc Rémont stated on Saturday that the “divergence” operation of the new generation EPR nuclear reactor at Flamanville (Manche) is “imminent,” assuring that the timeframe is now “a matter of days or weeks.”
Divergence Explained
Divergence refers to the first nuclear fission reaction within the reactor, which initiates electricity production.
Mr. Rémont was questioned during the 24th Rencontres économiques d’Aix-en-Provence about the precise date of this crucial step in the reactor’s start-up, which he confirmed would be “significant.”
ASN’s Estimate and Project Challenges
The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) had estimated this date to be the end of June, after 17 years of a complex construction process, marked by numerous technical setbacks and delays, resulting in a cost exceeding 13 billion euros, four times the initial budget.
CEO’s Reassurance
“It’s imminent,” assured Mr. Rémont.
“We have teams working day and night, we let them work,” he added, specifying, however, that “imminent is not measured in months, but in days or weeks.”
EDF’s Information Note and Timeline
According to an EDF information note published on Monday, “this first divergence of the Flamanville EPR reactor should occur in July, and the coupling during the summer.”
This “coupling” (or connection to the electrical grid) will be carried out once the reactor reaches 25% power. The EPR will then begin delivering its first megawatts, before reaching full power production, expected by EDF “before the end of the year.”
Fuel Loading and Reactor Significance
The loading of uranium fuel into the new reactor was completed in mid-May.
The EPR is the 57th French reactor and the most powerful in the national nuclear fleet. It is located in Flamanville alongside two older reactors.
Global Context
This first new-generation reactor built in France is the fourth of its kind installed worldwide.
Two of the other three currently operational reactors are located at the Taishan nuclear power plant in China, and the third is at the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant in Finland.