2024-09-02 21:41:06
EDF received the green light from ASN at 5 pm to launch the “first nuclear fission” in the early evening. The reactor should be connected to the network by the end of autumn.
Time is history! “As we speak, the Flamanville group is on the verge of launching a variant (the first nuclear fission, Editor’s Note). EDF received the green light from ASN at 5 pm this Monday. The night shifts, which start at 9 pm, will start the demolition process», said Régis Clément, deputy director of the nuclear production division, shortly before 9 p.m.
For several months, Flamanville EPR has been taking key steps in succession. The commission’s order was issued by the nuclear safety authority, the oil collection was carried out in early May. On Friday August 30, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) accepted EDF’s request to make the “change”. France has not seen such a project for 25 years, with the start of the Civaux (Vienna) power plant. All that is missing is the green light from the ASN for this historic step to take place. And when it is at 25% of its power, the EPR will send its first electrons to the French electricity network.
Since June, all the tests have been done so that the reactor is ready to switch. The entire process test program has been completed. 300 to 400 safety requirements are checked for an operating reactor, and for a new reactor, 1500 points are checked, with an in-depth analysis of each of these tests.
The reactor will be connected to the grid by the end of the fall
From Monday 9 pm and for several twelve hours, operations will be launched to launch nuclear fission, representing 1 to 2% of the reactor’s power. It will take several weeks before the conditions for connecting the reactor to the grid are reached. The so-called merger phase should be completed by the end of autumn – and not in the summer as expected at the beginning of the year. At that time it will be at 25% of its capacity, which is 1600 megawatts. 100% will reach”in different months. There are also many general exams, we have not set a date“. Increasing power, stage by stage, will be possible to demonstrate that the reactor complies with safety requirements.
This last straight line would not have been easy. Each landing is subject to a new delay, of a few weeks, days or hours, depending on the activities. That difference is expected in early July. “It seems that all the problems that one can encounter when starting a reactor have been encountered in Flamanville…. But we manage“, added Figaro someone familiar with the matter in early August. “All tests must be done in accordance with what is planned; We don’t give up. And there are risks that lead to a number of additional tasks. Finally, we move from the construction phase to a service phase, with additional requirements that the parties have to integrate», Régis Clément explained.
The EPR will have to operate for the first complete period, approximately 18 months, at full capacity, before waiting for a complete inspection and replacement of its tank cover required by ASN. The current cover will therefore be replaced preventively. The work is organized as follows and aims to “has a commitment cover for the entire life of the reactor. This is not a flawless cover, but a barrier substitute», adds Régis Clément.
A construction site that has accumulated delays
Finally, drop in the sea of problems that the site encounters. The new EDF nuclear reactor on French soil is 12 years late and over budget by more than 10 billion euros to reach 13.2 billion. It is also a landmark for EDF which intends to draw on this experience, as the group is acquiring abroad, especially at Hinkley Point in Great Britain, to better manage the construction of the next six EPR 2.We share our results. There is a great effort on this site and on production. We get wisdom», assures Régis Clément.
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