Flamanville EPR. Michel was only supposed to work there for 15 days, he is still there 14 years later

There were a lot of people at La Cité de la Mer, in Cherbourg (Manche), during the evening of Friday May 31, 2024 where EDF celebrated, with many employees and subcontractors, the end of loading of the Flamanville EPR.

“An exceptional and particularly powerful moment,” according to Alain Morvan, Flamanville 3 project director, on social media, which marks the start of operations for the 57^e reactor of the French nuclear park.

The program includes the screening of a film at the Mega CGR on the entire history of the construction site, from the first shovels to a dinner buffet in the large room of the old Cherbourg maritime station.

Thanks to the EPR: a career development

Among them, Michel Cosnefroy. The employee of Omexom worked 14 years on the EPR construction site. And that has changed his life.

“It was a unique contract,” he recalls. When he started, Michel was simple worker. He was responsible for installing electricity in the living bases, an “IEC contract”, as they say in the jargon.

A contract planned for 15 days normally. “I was at tertiary service, and as the period was quieter, they sent me to the EPR construction site. But I had to return to my department 15 days later!

Eventually, 14 years laterthe “simple worker” still works on the Flamanville EPR. His CONTRACT has indeed been renewed, and it is gradually promoted. Michel is now one of the leaders, as a site manager.

On the site, he even has an office with a sea view.

“Over time, EDF learned to trust us, and we got other contracts that were added. I got on straight away with the people at EDF, so I stayed…”

Thanks to the EPR: a superb atmosphere

In 2010, there were only‘about fifteen working on the IEC contract. But over time they have sometimes been up to 70 employees from Omexom to come and work on the Flamanville construction site.

We never felt any pressure from EDF, even when the worksite was accumulating delay after delay. On the other hand, when we had to work long hours and on a Saturday because it had to be finished, we did it. And everyone volunteered. I needed six guys, and twelve raised their hands! There was a great atmosphere on the worksite.

Fire detection, computer network, machine rooms, 20 kV HTA stations.., Michel knows almost all the electrical networks of the Flamanville EPR, but also every nook and cranny of the new reactor. So when it was time to start up, the latter inevitably felt a little pang in his heart.

Especially since Omexom’s contract on the EPR will end on the day of his retirement, at the end of the year.

“It will obviously be difficult to leave the EPR. Just imagine, it’s a 14-year project. A complex project, but what an incredible adventure!” he says.

Thanks to the EPR: incredible experiences

Michel will therefore leave with the feeling of duty accomplishedthe pride of having passed on his skills to young electricians and of having a few more friends. “EDF has really always supported us. If necessary help, They rolled up their sleeves to pull the cables with us.”

On the site, if any have been created friendships, Our man has had some incredible experiences. When he leaves, his head will be filled with memories that are unique in the life of a worker.

“Thanks to the EPR construction site, for example, I was able to watch the dome being installed. I was also able to climb the Bouygues crane, which is 110 metres high. We had to install a camera at the top, near the cabin. Fortunately, there is a elevator to get all the way up there! There are so many things I would never have experienced without having participated in the construction site.”

And for all this, Michel never stops repeating it: “I am really grateful to EDF!”

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