The French nuclear regulator Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN) has authorised the commissioning of the 1,650 MW Flamanville EPR reactor, located in Normandy (north-western France). The authorisation allows the French utility EDF to load nuclear fuel into the reactor and carry out start-up tests, followed by operation of the reactor. This paves the way for a connection to the French grid expected in the summer 2024, once the reactor reaches 25% of its capacity; it should be fully operational at the end of 2024.
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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