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EPR - Flamanville 3

Why opt for EPR technology ?

The advanced EPR design features improvements for nuclear safety, the environment and economic performance.

description of Flamanville 3



considerable improvement for the environment

As with all nuclear power plants, the Flamanville 3 plant generates electricity without any CO2 emissions, thus helping in the fight against the greenhouse effect and climate changes.
 
Ever intent on continuous improvement and environmental conservation, EDF has made numerous improvements to the new design.
 
These upgrades will help to reduce chemical and radioactive releases to the environment by at least 30% per kWh during the operating phase (excluding tritium and carbon-14 releases which are equivalent to those of current nuclear power plants per kWh).
 
There will be an overall drop in the volume of radioactive waste (a 30% decrease for certain waste categories). In order to limit the impact on freshwater intake, a desalination plant is planned for the site.
 
This 1650-MW reactor (as opposed to 1450 MW for the latest reactor series) consumes 17% less fuel due to the use of more efficient assemblies and higher turbine efficiency. This improvement, along with refuelling outage times which are 2 to 3 times shorter, will increase annual power output by 36% compared with current reactors.
 

The project for building a new nuclear power plant in the vicinity of the 2 current units does not alter the land and maritime right of way for a site which is prepared to host 4 units

An evolving concept

EPR design strategy is of an evolutionary type so as to take advantage of over 30 years of operating experience acquired by French and German designers and operators. This approach was implemented by electricity producers and manufacturers in conjunction with both countries’ nuclear safety authorities. Following a review of the EPR design by the Nuclear Safety Authorities, technical guidelines governing the project’s nuclear safety options and defining the requirements for detailed studies were issued.