In pictures: The construction site of the European Pressurized Reactor project (EPR) was unveiled to the press in Flamanville, France, on Wednesday (March 30). Subject to years of delay and cost overruns, the EPR nuclear reactor is being built by Areva and will be operated by French energy group EDF.
Straits Times 31st March 2016 read more »
Additional tests are necessary on the lid and the reactor vessel. 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 a “mechanical resilience” lower than expected. A test program was then undertaken in consultation with the ASN, to ensure compliance with these safety standards.
Les Echoes 13th April 2016 read more »