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EPR - Flamanville 3
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- the Flamanville 3 project
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the EPR Flamanville 3 project
In order to pave the way for replacing nuclear power plants in France, EDF had to get moving on Flamanville 3 straight away. The commissioning of the Flamanville EPR is set for 2012 and the generation of the first marketable electricity in 2013.
the EPR – in operation by year 2012
On 22 June 2004, EDF’s Board of Directors decided to embark on the process of building an EPR type unit and the Flamanville site was selected.
On 4 November 2004, the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) was notified of the Flamanville 3 project by EDF and arranged for a public debate to be held from 19 October 2005 to 18 February 2006. Once CNDP backing had been obtained, EDF’s Board of Directors decided to go ahead with the Flamanville 3 project on 4 May 2006.
On 9 May 2006, EDF initiated applications for a construction licence for the Flamanville 3 nuclear facility with the relevant Ministries and the ASN (French Nuclear Safety Authority). As the latter had approved the application, the decree was signed by the Prime Minister and then published in the Government Gazette on 11 April 2007.
After the first tenders had been awarded and the requisite permits had been granted, site preparatory works (access and earthworks) kicked off in the summer of 2006.
The plant construction phase has started in December 2007.
choice of the Flamanville site
The Flamanville nuclear site covers a surface area of approx. 60 hectares. It is located in the community of Flamanville, in the department of Manche in the Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) region. The two current reactor units generate around 3% of French electrical power consumption. The site features a number of advantages for the construction of a new unit:
- EDF owns the land required for the new construction,
- The seaside location supports cooling which is easier to implement and less expensive,
- The region has extensive experience of large-scale worksites and construction of nuclear facilities,
- Most of the local population firmly supports the project.
The Flamanville 3 project has met with strong consensus from elected officials and local economic players, who have rallied round the project.
socio-economic aspects
During the 5-year construction phase, the project will employ 2,300 persons and EDF intends to use local manpower and support related training policy.
EDF is putting a great deal of effort into the support plan, focusing especially on worker quality of life. Once the plant is up and running, the Flamanville 3 site will employ 300 permanent staff.
projected costs and funding
The Flamanville 3 project involves around 4 billion Euros of capital expenditure, including EPR development costs. The nuclear part of the facility accounts for 60% of the total amount with the conventional (non-nuclear) part accounting for the rest.