France’s EDF Investigates Second Automatic Shutdown at Flamanville 3 Reactor

A general view of the three reactors making up the Flamanville nuclear power plant with the third-generation European Pressurised Water nuclear reactor (EPR) in the background in Flamanville, France, April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Flamanville's new-generation EPR reactor is the first nuclear unit to be connected to the French grid since the Civaux 2 nuclear reactor in 1999. It is expected to produce about 1.6 gigawatts (GW) per hour, making it France's largest reactor.

The reactor stopped automatically on Sept. 4, only a day after it entered production, due to human error during post-divergence tests.

The French power utility said on Sept. 7 it resumed activity and testing at the plant, in order to prepare for the connection procedure planned for late autumn.

WHAT’S NEXT

After identifying the technical details of the issue, EDF teams will carry out some more checks and adjustments before resuming start-up operations, the EDF spokesperson said.