Flamanville EPR: ASNR approval for reactor ramp-up

  • Regulation

  • Information bulletin

31/01/2025

In a resolution dated 31st January 2025, ASNR approved the continuation of start-up tests on the Flamanville EPR reactor at a power level exceeding 25% of its rated power*.

This approval is provided for in the reactor operating license issued by ASN on May 7, 2024. It will enable EDF to continue ramping up the reactor and carrying out the planned test program.

Flamanville site with view of the EPR reactor
Flamanville site with view of the EPR reactor - © Mickael Clemenceau

In its request dated 21st January 2025, supplemented on January 29, 2025, EDF provided ASNR with the information required for this approval to be issued, in particular the results of tests carried out from divergence and up to reaching the 25% power level, demonstrating:

  • availability of the core monitoring and protection system;
  • conformity of results from physical tests on the core**.

ASNR carried out several inspections of the reactor in recent months (fr). It also analyzed the significant events reported by EDF and the corrective actions implemented. ASNR has not identified any factor likely to jeopardize continuation of the reactor power ramp-up beyond 25%.ASNR will continue to monitor nuclear safety during the subsequent stages of reactor ramp-up to rated power. In particular, EDF will have to reapply to ASNR for approval to increase the reactor's power beyond 80% of its rated output.

To learn more

Operating license for the Flamanville EPR reactor

Resolution granting EDF approval to ramp up reactor no. 3 at the Flamanville nuclear power plant (BNI 167) to a power level greater than 25% of the planned rated power

Resolution authorizing EDF to carry out the first criticality search and first divergence operations for reactor no. 3 at the Flamanville nuclear power plant (BNI 167).

The main stages following commissioning of the Flamanville EPR reactor

* Rated power: maximum operating power planned for a reactor.

** The purpose of core physical testing is to confirm that the core complies with the design basis and the safety demonstration. These tests can also be used to calibrate automatic control and protection systems.