Power Grid

France's most powerful nuclear reactor, the Flamanville 3, has officially begun operations after a 12-year delay caused by a series of technical challenges. This reactor, part of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) model, marks the first addition to France's nuclear fleet in 25 years, signaling a significant step in the country’s efforts to expand its nuclear energy capacity for peaceful purposes.

The Flamanville 3 reactor is not only the most powerful in France, with a total capacity of 1,600 megawatts, but also the 57th reactor in the country’s extensive nuclear fleet.

The new reactor, located in the Normandy region, successfully connected to the national grid on December 21, 2024, after overcoming technical setbacks that increased the project’s cost by four times its initial budget. Originally expected to cost around €3.3 billion, the project’s final cost reached approximately €13.2 billion.

The reactor is capable of supplying electricity to nearly two million homes, and its successful integration into the grid is seen as a defining moment for France’s nuclear industry, despite the years of delays.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised the operation of Flamanville 3, calling it “a great and watershed moment for France.” In a statement, he emphasized the reactor’s significance as one of the world’s most powerful and its role in providing low-carbon electricity as part of France’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Luc Remont, CEO of Electricité de France (EDF), also celebrated the milestone, noting that it had been 25 years since a new reactor had been added to France's energy grid. He referred to the commissioning of Flamanville 3 as a historic event in France’s energy sector.

The Flamanville 3 reactor, despite its delays, plays a central role in France's nuclear energy future. It is one of the largest reactors globally, alongside similar units in China and Finland. The reactor’s operation comes at a time when France’s electricity consumption is on the decline, yet the country continues to export record amounts of electricity.

EDF is also planning the construction of six additional reactors, as pledged by President Macron, to further bolster France’s nuclear capacity as part of its energy transition goals. This move contrasts with neighboring Germany, which decided to phase out its nuclear energy program in 2023.