The Flamanville-3 EPR nuclear power plant in northern France will now undergo about seven months of commissioning activities with no clear deadline yet set for grid connection beyond a general target of later this summer.

Alain Morvan, director of the Flamanville-3 project, told a webinar organised by the French Nuclear Society (Sfen) that “I absolutely want us to work in complete safety and quality”.

Morvan said first criticality at the 1,630-MW plant is expected this year with the plant then reaching 25% of full power production, which will require approval from the regulator ASN. The plant will then need to meet final ASN regulatory requirements at 80% of full power production before reaching full power.