This “optimized” version of the European pressurized reactor is at the heart of the plan unveiled, Thursday, by the Head of State.
Le Monde with AFP
On the trip to Belfort (Territory of Belfort), Emmanuel Macron announced, Thursday, February 10, the construction of six EPR 2 nuclear reactors by 2050, with commissioning of the first reactor to 2035. In addition, further considered an additional eight EPR2 perspective, a project that will be the subject of studies.
The EPR 2 is an “optimized” version of the EPR nuclear reactor – or European pressurized reactor (initially European pressurized reactor, renamed Evolutionary Power Reactor) – desired simpler and cheaper to build than the latter.
EDF had launched, as early as 2015, the development of this high-power water reactor, with about 1,670 megawatts, while the oldest reactors of the French park make 900 megawatts. The group had given last spring its proposal to build six EPR 2 on existing sites, per pair: first in Penly (Seine-Maritime), near Dieppe, then to Gravelines (North) and, finally , in Bugey (Ain) or Tricastin (Drôme). The first could see the day around 2035.
46 billion euros for three pairs of EPR2
compared to the only EPR under construction in France in Flamanville (Manche), which has accumulated delays and additional costs, the EPR 2 is supposed to be “simpler to build”, benefiting from a series effect (construction Pairs) and factory prefabrications or modularization, according to EDF. It is also “the first reactor to be totally designed digitized”, with 4D simulation and 3D visualization to better detect anomalies. The construction of several copies, as well as optimizations made on civil engineering and construction methods, “will save economies”, promises the group.
The Court of Auditors emphasized the “major” financial issue that this program would represent, with a construction cost of three EPR 2 pairs estimated at 46 billion euros. Magistrates have also recently highlighted “uncertainty in terms of ability to build a new park of reactors in terms of time and at reasonable costs”.
Any EPR 2 construction project will have to receive the authorization of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) after a fairly long process. “The EPR 2 reactor is a reactor derived from the EPR, which presents several significant developments in relation to the latter and which requires a new” licensing “(licensing concession),” says on the ASN.
To build reactors, it will take several steps with a public debate on the project and the deposit by EDF with the government of a request for authorization to create a nuclear facility, which will then be instructed by the ASN . “The procedure, the deadline for three years (two-year term) includes a public inquiry and concludes with a creative authorization decree,” said ASN.