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		In order to pave the way for replacing nuclear power plants in France, EDF had to get moving on Flamanville 3 straight away. Due for commissioning in 2012, it is the first-off unit for a new reactor generation.
		the EPR: schedule to 2012 On 22 June 2004, EDF’s Board of Directors decided to embark on the process of building an EPR type unit and the Flamanville site was selected. On 4 November 2004, the National Commission for Public Debate (Comission Nationale du débat Public - CNDP) was notified of the Flamanville 3 project by EDF and arranged for a public debate to be held from 19 October 2005 to 18 February 2006. Once CNDP backing had been obtained, EDF’s Board of Directors decided to go ahead with the Flamanville 3 project on 4 May 2006. On 9 May 2006, EDF initiated applications for a construction licence for the Flamanville 3 nuclear facility with the relevant Ministries and the ASN (Autorité de la Sûerté Nucléaire - French Nuclear Safety Authority). As the latter had approved the application, the decree was signed by the Prime Minister and then published in the Government Gazette on 11 April 2007. After the first tenders had been awarded and the requisite permits had been granted, site preparatory works (access and earthworks) kicked off in the summer of 2006. The plant construction phase will begin in December 2007 and continue for 54 months, with commissioning planned for 2012. the choice of the Flamanville site The Flamanville nuclear site covers a surface area of approx. 60 hectares. It is located in the community of Flamanville, in the department of Manche in the Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) region. The two current reactor units generate around 3% of French electrical power consumption. The site features a number of advantages for the construction of a new unit:  EDF owns the required land for the new construction ;  the seaside location supports cooling which is easier to implement and less expensive;  the region has extensive experience of large-scale worksites and construction  of nuclear facilities;  Most of the local population firmly supports the project. The Flamanville 3 project has met with strong consensus from elected officials and local economic players, who have rallied round the project. socio-economic aspects During the period of construction, the project will employ up to 2,000 people. EDF will devote much effort to the guidance plan, keeping watch particularly on the actors' quality of life. During the operating period of the plant, full-time work force will represent about 300 persons, without taking into account indirect employments. projected cost and project funding The Flamanville 3 project is expected to cost approximately 3.3 billion Euro. The nuclear section accounts for approx. 60 % of the investment, with the conventional section accounting for 40 %. EDF is able to fund the project from its own resources. While remaining the sole nuclear operator of Flamanville 3, EDF plans however the possibility to have partnerships with other European electricity producers.