The French reactor at the Flamanville power station in Manche is now one step closer to being connected to the national network. On Thursday, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) confirmed that uranium fuel has been loaded into the new EPR reactor at the site, marking a key preliminary step for the gradual start-up of the site.
The loading of fuel began on May 8 in the reactor building swimming pool and was completed around noon on Wednesday, according to Julien Collet, deputy general director of ASN, who spoke to AFP. The EPR is the 57th French reactor and the most powerful in the fleet, receiving around 60,000 thin tubes containing uranium pellets in its tank. After closing the tank, tests will be carried out before proceeding with increasing pressure and temperature stages to test safety devices.
EDF has confirmed that start-up operations are progressing according to schedule, with several stages still to be completed before the reactor delivers its first electrons expected in the summer. The ASN will need to issue its agreement before the launch of the first nuclear fission reaction. Once the reactor reaches 25% power, it can be connected to the electrical network. Full power production is expected by the end of