(Boursier.com) — EDF adjusts the timetable for the Flamanville 3 project: loading the reactor with nuclear fuel is now planned for the 1st quarter of 20241. The estimate of the cost at completion goes from 12.7 billion euros to 13.2 billion euros.
This updating of the timetable is mainly linked to the additional studies which were necessary in order to establish a new process for implementing the stress relieving heat treatment (TTD) * of certain welds upgraded over the past two years, which are near sensitive equipment for the proper functioning of the plant.
The teams are currently tackling the completion of the final stress-relieving heat treatment stage for the upgraded welds and the stage of re-closing the main secondary circuit.
After loading the reactor with nuclear fuel, start-up operations will continue, with in particular checks of all safety-related systems, tests and qualifications of equipment carried out throughout the rise in temperature and pressure of the boiler. , then during the increase in power of the reactor. At 25% power, the production unit will be connected to the national electricity grid.
The Flamanville EPR has taken new strategic steps in recent months, in its pre-operation phase, testifying to the strong mobilization of industrial players:
The complex reworking of the main secondary circuit crossing welds has been completed and all the welds have been declared compliant with the break exclusion reference system. This industrial first, made with remotely operated tools, required more than twelve months of studies and qualification before being implemented in Flamanville.
Overall tests of electrical equipment and fuel loading operations have been carried out and have been declared to comply with the expected requirements.
* Stress relieving heat treatment (TTD) is an activity carried out after a welding operation with the aim of relieving the residual welding stresses and obtaining appropriate mechanical characteristics for the welded part.
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