ASN consults the public concerning its draft resolution authorising commissioning of the Flamanville EPR reactor

From 27 March to 17 April 2024, ASN consults the public concerning its draft resolution authorising commissioning of the Flamanville EPR reactor. This authorisation is required in order to load fuel into the reactor.

ASN supplements this authorisation with technical requirements regarding the start-up tests and the operation of this reactor. The purpose of these planned ASN requirements is:

• to manage the performance and monitoring of the facility’s start-up tests following commissioning;
• to specify how feedback from the operation of other EPR type reactors around the world is to be monitored;
• to define the deadline for replacement of the exchangers between the component cooling water system (RRI) and essential service water system (SEC) so that a sufficient level of performance is guaranteed throughout the lifetime of the installation;
• to define the deadline for replacement of the bodies of two main secondary systems protection valves.

ASN has already required that the vessel closure head be replaced and this will take place during the reactor‘s first refuelling outage.

This consultation, which concerns ASN’s resolution, follows on from the consultations held from 5 June to 15 September 2023 and from 15 January to 15 February 2024 concerning the EDF file associated with the reactor commissioning authorisation application.

ASN attaches a draft report to the consultation summarising the conclusions of its examination. This report notably presents a summary of the two consultations already held.

ASN will continue to monitor the licensee’s preparations and the performance of the activities prior to loading of the fuel in the reactor, up until commissioning.

Documents are only available in French.