France's most powerful nuclear reactor connected to grid after 17-year build
France's most powerful nuclear reactor connected to grid after 17-year build
The opening of the European Pressurized Reactor in Flamanville comes 12 years late on the initial schedule.
Summary
France’s Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor, its most powerful at 1,600 MW, was connected to the grid on December 21 after 17 years of construction plagued by delays and budget overruns.
The European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), designed to boost nuclear energy post-Chernobyl, is 12 years behind schedule and cost €13.2 billion, quadruple initial estimates.
President Macron hailed the launch as a key step for low-carbon energy and energy security.
Nuclear power, which supplies 60% of France’s electricity, is central to Macron’s plan for a “nuclear renaissance.”
Lets hope this one stays in better condition than their other nuclear plants lol
Nuclear plant construction delayed? Budget overrun? Even in one of the most nuclear developed countries in the world? Wooooow, what a surprise!!
its most powerful at 1,600 MW,
Fuck, that's 100 more MW than VVER-1500(project). Or 400 more than VVER-1200(working).
post-Chernobyl
???
is 12 years behind schedule
VVER-1500 is still project for 40 years. Most modern we have now is VVER-TOI (1300 MW).
For additional context, one of the reason for the delay and cost increase was the absurdly complex design due to French and German companies trying to collaborate on a new design as Germany was turning anti-nuclear, which culminated with Germany deciding to stop nuclear energy after the Fukushima Daiichi event.
Another big reason is the knowledge loss due to almost one generation without any reactor built in between.fuck yeah
Olkiluoto unit 3 took 18 years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olkiluoto_Nuclear_Power_Plant?wprov=sfti1
It’s the same French EPR tech and the whole project was plagued with mistakes because the French wanted to cut corners and just get it built as fast as possible.
Good news!
[Star Wars meme]
Princess(?): 12 years of extra safety and sustainability, right?
Young Darth(?):
Princess: Right?
Darth:
Renewables are far cheaper and can be built faster and if they malfunction, no one is in danger.
France already has enough Nuclear to deal with no-sun and no-wind phases (if they work properly, which is the other problem with nuclear energy in France)...
So, there is literally no reason to waste tax payer money and time like this and to force yourself to import material from Russia. Just build renewables until we get fusion energy...