France: historic launch of the Flamanville EPR reactor

After 17 years of work, the new-generation EPR nuclear reactor at Flamanville has reached a key milestone with the loading of fuel, marking a "historic" launch according to EDF teams.

Share:

Réacteur Nucléaire EPR Flamanville

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

The Flamanville EPR reactor, the first of its type to be built in France in 20 years, has just finished loading its fuel, marking a crucial stage in its commissioning. It’s also an advance in the French nuclear sector. With a capacity of 1,600 megawatts (MW), this reactor will be the most powerful in the country, and will be able to supply nearly three million households. Twelve years after the initial deadline, the ASN (French nuclear safety authority) has given the go-ahead for this long-awaited milestone. EDF teams expressed their pride and emotion at the event, highlighting the challenges they had overcome throughout this complex project.

Precise fuel loading

Loading the fuel required meticulous preparation. For a week, some 30 operators worked around the clock to insert around 60,000 rods – thin tubes containing uranium pellets – into the reactor vessel. This operation, carried out under 20 metres of water to protect against the effects of radioactivity, was a success, enabling the vessel to be closed and the boiler to begin to build up pressure and temperature. Flamanville 3 Operations Manager Grégory Heinfling described the moment as a mixture of emotion and concentration, necessary to ensure safety and smooth operations.

“Some of us shed a little tear”, others “jumped for joy”, we even “hugged a bit.”

Perspectives and objectives

Full commissioning of the reactor is scheduled for the end of the year, following a series of tests and approvals. The first nuclear fission reaction, or “divergence”, is expected at the end of June. Thereafter, EDF will gradually reach different power levels, with “coupling” to the electricity grid scheduled for the summer. The Arabelle 1000 turbine, the most powerful in the world, will then come into action to generate electricity. A final notice will be required to reach 100% power, which is scheduled for the end of 2024. For future stages, the reactor will have to pass through several stages before reaching full capacity. In particular, the build-up of boiler pressure and temperature is a critical phase, requiring close monitoring and rigorous testing. The long-awaited moment of “divergence” will mark the start of nuclear fission, a key milestone for the project. Once this stage has been reached, the reactor can gradually be connected to the grid, delivering its first electrons and contributing to France’s electricity supply.

Challenges and controversies

The Flamanville project has been marked by numerous challenges, with the cost quadrupling to 13.2 billion euros according to EDF. Environmental groups such as Sortir du Nucléaire continue to question the reliability of theEPR, criticizing its hasty commissioning. Due to numerous delays and cost overruns, questions persist as to the viability and safety of this type of reactor. However, project manager Alain Morvan assures us that the plant is of high quality and promises safe operation. He acknowledges the “painful moments” but underlines the resilience of EDF’s teams, who have always bounced back from difficulties. The next major step will be to ramp up the reactor, with an initial production phase at 25% of full capacity. At this point, the reactor will be connected to the power grid, and the Arabelle 1000 turbine will start spinning at full speed, producing electricity. The success of this phase will depend on a series of rigorous tests and the continued approval of the ASN. Full production is scheduled for late 2024, with the first maintenance visit scheduled for late 2025.

Implications for the future of nuclear power in France

The launch of the Flamanville EPR represents a crucial turning point for the French nuclear industry. As the country seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce carbon emissions, new-generation nuclear reactors play a key role in this transition. The success of Flamanville could influence the decision to build other EPR reactors in France and elsewhere. The experience gained and lessons learned from this project will be essential for improving the design, construction and future operation of nuclear reactors.
The launch of the EPR reactor at Flamanville marks a major milestone for the French nuclear industry. Despite the many hurdles, the completion of fuel loading and the steps ahead illustrate EDF’s determination to bring this project to a successful conclusion, while promising high safety standards and stable, reliable energy production. As the world moves towards more sustainable energy sources, the success of the EPR reactor could provide a roadmap for the future of nuclear power.

The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
US-based Natura Resources has secured strategic funding and key permits for its MSR-1 nuclear reactor, backed by public funds and enriched fuel allocation from the Department of Energy.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.