In a significant milestone for France’s energy sector, the Flamanville 3 European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) in Normandy has been connected to the national electricity grid. This achievement, despite years of delays and budget overruns, marks a pivotal moment for the country’s nuclear power ambitions.
President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the launch, describing it as a “great moment for the country” and highlighting the reactor’s role in advancing France’s low-carbon energy strategy. The EPR, a new-generation pressurized water reactor, is now the most powerful in France, with a capacity of 1,600 MW, capable of supplying electricity to over two million homes.
The project, initiated in 1992, aimed to revitalize nuclear power in Europe post-Chernobyl, promising enhanced efficiency and safety. Although similar reactors in China and Finland became operational earlier, Flamanville’s connection is a historic event for EDF, the state-owned energy giant, after 17 years of construction challenges and a budget swell to €13.2 billion.
EDF CEO Luc Remont acknowledged the complexity of starting up a reactor, noting the last such event in France occurred 25 years ago. The connection to the grid will undergo various power level tests until summer 2025, with a full inspection planned for 2026.
This development is a boost for France, a nation with a robust nuclear program, contrasting sharply with Germany’s recent exit from nuclear power. Outgoing Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, praised the “titanic effort” that led to this success, emphasizing lessons learned for future projects.
Macron’s vision includes expanding nuclear capacity with six new-generation reactors and potential plans for eight more, as part of a broader push for energy sustainability and a shift away from fossil fuels. This initiative marks a renaissance for France’s nuclear industry, reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable energy future.
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