“A historic event”. The Flamanville (Manche) EPR nuclear reactor, the most powerful reactor in France, was connected to the national electricity network on Saturday, after 17 years of construction and 12 years late, announced the EDF group.
“Saturday December 21, 2024 at 11:48 a.m., the Flamanville EPR was connected to the French electricity network and began to produce its first electrons. This is a historic event for the entire French nuclear industry. The last start-up of a reactor in France dates back to that of Civaux 2, 25 years ago,” announced EDF CEO Luc Rémont on his LinkedIn account.
“Great moment for the country,” said Head of State Emmanuel Macron, in a message posted on social networks. “One of the most powerful nuclear reactors in the world, the Flamanville EPR, has just been connected to the electricity grid. Reindustrializing to produce low-carbon energy is French ecology. It strengthens our competitiveness and protects the climate.”
This first connection of a new reactor in France since 1999 was initially planned for Friday morning, but had been postponed by several hours.
After the fuel loading carried out in May and the first nuclear reaction within the reactor at the beginning of September, coupling to the network is the third stage of entry into operation of Flamanville 3. This new generation pressurized water reactor must supply approximately two million homes.
