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| the french nuclear plants | |
 Today, EDF has 58 reactors on 19 sites. discover nuclear plants in France |
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| Flamanville powerplant | |
 The Flamanville powerplant takes place above a granitic cliff of 70 meters high. discover the Flamanville powerplant
(French version) |
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In its Flamanville site located in the Manche Region, EDF decided to build a new nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1,650 MW. This power plant to be known as " Flamanville 3" will be built with the European pressurised-water technology used for the EPR (European pressurised reactor). This project fully follows EDF's missions : generating, transmitting and selling electricity for all its customers and guaranteeing a clean, safe and competitive electricity.
Around 2020, the first nuclear power plants of the current generation (58 plants in operation at the time being) will reach 40 years of operation. With actions in engineering and maintenance, EDF is trying to go on operating those nuclear plants safely, but cannot exclude that some of them should shut down. EDF has to be ready to face this situation.
EDF intends to be able to replace them by new ones.
In line with french energy policy as it is defined today, EDF decided to build the new nuclear power plant Flamanville 3. Indeed the Parliament has decided to keep the nuclear option open.
Why now?
In order to decide around 2015, and to be operational in 2020, the modalities of replacement of existing nuclear power plants, EDF has to be in possession of a technically tested and validated reactor model that meets the standards of the DGSNR (French nuclear safety authority under the control of the ministries in charge of environment, industry and health), of an operational industrial structure and a sufficient EPR operating experience. Flamanville 3 is planned to start generating electricity in 2012.
Eight years are necessary to be able to produce electricity: 5 years to finalize construction and 3 additional years for administrative procedures, before construction can begin. EDF goes ahead today in the construction of the first of what may become a possible series.
Flamanville 3 will permit to acquire a strong construction and operating experience of this new generation reactor and to be ready to renew nuclear power plants when necessary.
Flamanville 3 project and national public debate
From the October 19, 2005 to the February 18, 2006, the project was submitted to a national public debate, previous to EDF's decision about the effective building of Flamanville 3.
