Nuclear: setback on the Flamanville EPR – Les Echos

Areva and EDF have not finished with the setbacks on the Flamanville EPR. Both groups said Wednesday that further tests were needed on the lid and the bottom of the reactor vessel, causing additional delays in the approval of these items by the ASN (Nuclear Safety Authority).

in April 2015, ASN announced that it had been informed by Areva of an anomaly in the composition of the steel in some areas of the cover and the reactor vessel that contains the nuclear fuel . Specifically, the carbon concentration was greater than expected, resulting in “mechanical resilience” lower than expected. A test program was then undertaken in consultation with the ASN, to ensure compliance with these safety standards.

Gold initial analysis performed showed a “extension of carbon segregation phenomenon,” in other words a carbon concentration to what was envisaged: it extends to three quarters of the workpiece thickness and not to the half. New tests will therefore be programmed to extend accordingly measures the carbon concentration and ensure the required mechanical properties, said Wednesday evening EDF and Areva. Both groups however say “confident in their ability to demonstrate the quality and safety of the vessel” .

Startup EPR still scheduled for 2018

given the increasing number of analyzes to be performed, Areva will deliver its report to the ASN that the end of 2016, instead of July as expected, thus shifting six months ASN decision on the compliance of parts. This new delay does not call into question the progress of the project, which is proceeding according to schedule announced last, said the two groups: the EPR should start in the fourth quarter 2018. This schedule was announced in September 2015, marking a further delay to the reactor, the start was planned for 2012 and the costs of which have slipped from 3.3 to 10.5 billion euros.

so there will be some additional months to remove the uncertainty related to these critical parts of the reactor. A sword of Damocles for EDF and Areva. If they prove not comply, their replacement would take several years. In addition, two reactors in China, Taishan, were built on the same model, and the Ministry of the Environment stated that he would wait until all doubts are raised about the safety before loading them into fuel. Finally, EDF has conditioned the resumption of Areva NP, the reactor manufacturer activity, compliance of the vessel. But the rescue of Areva, and thereby of the French nuclear industry, based on this operation, whose finalization is planned for 2017

Anne Feitz

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