The French nuclear safety authority ASN (Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire) has granted EDF a divergence agreement for the 1,650 MW Flamanville-3 EPR nuclear reactor, located in Normandy (north-western France). This divergence process marks the beginning of the process leading to the nuclear chain reaction in the reactor, and thus marks the start of its operation. The divergence process initiates a stable nuclear reaction at a very low power: 0.2% of the reactor’s rated capacity. Following this phase, a test programme will be conducted to gradually increase the power output to 25%. The reactor is expected to become fully operational and be connected to the French grid before the end of 2024.
In May 2024, EDF received authorisation from the ASN to begin the startup of Flamanville after 12 years of delays. Construction of the Flamanville-3 reactor began in 2007, with an initial expected start-up in 2013 and an estimated cost of €3.3bn. However, the project has faced delays and cost increases, with the latest estimate by EDF putting the total cost at €13.2bn. The Flamanville EPR is the first of its kind in France, following the commissioning of EPR reactors in China (Taishan 1 and 2) and Finland (Olkiluoto 3). Two additional EPR units are under construction at Hinkley Point C (United Kingdom).
In 2023, nuclear represented 41% of France’s installed capacity and 64% of its power generation.
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