France’s most powerful nuclear reactor finally came online over the weekend following years of delay and setbacks.
While the Flamanville 3 European pressurised reactor (EPR) in Normandy achieved its first nuclear reaction in September, teams from EDF, France’s state-owned power company, have spent the last few months conducting various tests and inspections prior to its connection to the grid.
These tests will continue over the following months as the plant slowly increases its power output to full capacity of 1,650MWe.
“Starting up a reactor is a long and complex operation,” EDF said. “It requires the full mobilisation of teams and is carried out at each stage with the highest level of safety and industrial reliability.”
The Flamanville plant’s first two reactors originally came online in 1986 and 1987 but were based on older, pressurised water reactor technology.
The third generator is a next-generation EPR – only three power plants using the new technology have come online globally,...