5 Regulation and oversight of the EPR 2 reactors project EDF has started a programme to build EPR 2 type reactors in France. A first pair of reactors is planned for the Penly site in the Seine-Maritime département, a second on the Gravelines site in the Nord département and a third on the Bugey site in the Ain département. EDF aims to commission the EPR 2 reactors on the Penly site by about 2035-2037. With this in mind, a public debate was held from 27 October 2022 to 27 February 2023, following which EDF submitted a DAC application to the Minister responsible for nuclear safety at the end of June 2023. This application is currently being examined by ASN, with the technical support of IRSN. This examination follows on from the evaluation of the EPR 2 reactor safety options. EPR 2 reactors safety options The EPR 2 is a new reactor which aims to incorporate the lessons learned from the design, construction and commissioning of the EPR reactors, along with OEF from the reactors currently in service. In the same way as the EPR reactors, it aims to meet the general safety objectives for third-generation reactors. Furthermore, this reactor will integrate all the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident, as of the design stage. This more specifically entails reinforcing the design against natural hazards and consolidating the independence of the installation and the site in an accident situation (with or without core melt) until such time as the off-site resources can intervene. ASN examined the Safety Options Dossier (DOS) for this reactor project, with the support of IRSN, taking account of the recommendations of Guide No. 22 on PWR design. On 16 July 2019, ASN thus published its opinion on the proposed safety options. ASN considered that the general safety objectives, the baseline safety requirements and the main design options are on the whole satisfactory and, in its opinion and in a supplementary letter sent to EDF in July 2021, identified the subjects to be considered in greater detail for a future DAC. Technical reviews carried out in 2023 Following examination of the EPR 2 safety options, ASN - with the support of IRSN – continued with the technical evaluation of this reactor model, notably on the basis of a preliminary version of the safety analysis report EDF sent it in February 2021. In 2023, ASN informed EDF of its requests regarding the study approach for accidents, with or without fuel melt, presented in it. The response from EDF to these requests will be examined during the review of the DAC application. In January 2023, ASN convened the GPESPN concerning the baseline requirements for application of the break preclusion approach to non-breakable components, to the main lines of the primary and secondary systems of the EPR 2 reactors and concerning the definition of the NPE situations and loads for the main primary and secondary systems. The break preclusion approach is among the subjects for which ASN had requested additional data in its 2019 opinion. ASN considers that, given the additional measures and justifications provided by EDF, the baseline requirements for applying the break preclusion approach to the non-breakable components and to the main lines of the primary and secondary systems of the 2-reactor project is acceptable. This position has yet to be confirmed by the completion of certain studies and validation of the choice of certain materials. ASN also examined the options files of the main NPE for the EPR 2 reactors. ASN issued opinions concerning the reactor pressure vessel in 2021, the SGs in 2022 and the pressuriser and main steam lines in 2023. In response to a request from EDF, ASN in June 2023 also expressed its requirements regarding the incorporation of the specific features of the Tricastin site, were this site to be chosen for the construction of EPR 2 reactors. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 319 • 10 • The EDF Nuclear Power Plants 10 05 15 08 11 04 14 06 07 13 AP 03 02 09 12 01
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