EDF postpones restart of Flamanville EPR to August 13

EDF extends Flamanville EPR's shutdown to August 13 to conduct technical checks on three valves of the reactor's primary circuit, initially scheduled to resume production this week.

Share:

The European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) at Flamanville will remain offline until August 13, following the decision by Électricité de France (EDF) to undertake detailed inspections of critical equipment in the cooling system.

Primary circuit valves concerned

EDF indicated that the prolonged shutdown would allow its technical teams to perform machining and detailed analysis of three valves located on a pressurizer, a crucial component of the primary main circuit. The primary circuit’s function is to continuously cool the nuclear reactor.

“We need to intervene on these components to assess them and potentially undertake technical work. That is why we are prolonging the outage,” an EDF spokesperson told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on July 2, confirming an earlier report by FranceInfo.

Tightness criteria under review

According to EDF, this operation addresses recent questions regarding compliance with tightness criteria of these components. “There were questions regarding tightness criteria on the valves. This is what we are currently inspecting to ensure that we respect the criteria and that everything is fully compliant,” the EDF spokesperson added.

Following the completion of technical work and required checks, EDF plans to resume preliminary tests prior to restarting the EPR. The energy operator will have to seek prior approval from the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) to increase the reactor to 80% of its nominal power.

Schedule maintained despite delays

The original timetable aimed for a return to service on June 19, following a planned technical shutdown as part of operational testing related to increasing the reactor’s power. EDF previously stated that bringing the 57th French nuclear reactor fully online would be gradual, potentially necessitating up to a dozen planned maintenance outages and possible unscheduled interventions.

Connection to the national electricity grid occurred on December 21, 2024, after a delay of 12 years from the initial schedule.

EDF nonetheless maintains its target of reaching 100% nominal power before the end of summer 2025.

Tehran agrees to host experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency in the coming weeks, excluding any visit to sensitive sites as diplomatic tensions persist with European nations and the United States.
Standard Uranium announces the results of a high-resolution electromagnetic survey at the Corvo project, confirming 29 kilometres of conductive corridors and launching the planning of an inaugural drilling programme for 2026.
NANO Nuclear Energy assembles and tests its annular induction pump prototype, marking progress for its microreactor programmes and paving the way for potential commercialisation of the technology.
Hungary reaffirms its intent to double the capacity of its Paks nuclear power plant in partnership with Rosatom, with concrete works expected to begin in the autumn.
Arabelle Solutions, a subsidiary of EDF, will provide turbine island equipment for the first BWRX-300 small modular reactor project in Canada, marking a milestone for the industrialisation of SMRs in North America.
Framatome will supply nuclear fuel and technical services to ENEC, strengthening the United Arab Emirates’ energy supply chain for the Barakah nuclear plant.
French start-up Stellaria secures €23mn ($25.2mn) in funding to accelerate the design of its fast neutron nuclear reactor, with first fission expected in 2029 and commercial deployment targeted for 2035.
The Bulgarian National Audit Office report highlights persistent delays and contractual irregularities in the implementation of the national repository for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste.
Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.