EDF considers that there is no “security risk” for its EPR nuclear reactor under construction in Flamanville (Manche), while one of the two EPRs in operation in Taishan in China is affected by a corrosion phenomenon in the sheath that contains the fuels said the French Electrician on Wednesday. “The Flamanville 3 EPR, which will be fueled in the first quarter of 2024, will incorporate all the lessons learned from the operation of the two Taishan EPR reactors,” said EDF, a 30% shareholder of the pair. , in a sentence.
According to Le Canard enchaîné, the Taishan EPR 1 has been stopped for almost six months after the discovery of an oxidation phenomenon in the fuel rod claddings made by the French manufacturer Framatome. It is a critical piece as it contains the compressed uranium pellets necessary for the production of nuclear energy. The Chinese operator CGN mentioned in a press release on June 9 the shutdown of the reactor, and this since January 31 for a scheduled refueling operation. During this shutdown “some inspections and tests” have been carried out, adds the group, without specifying whether they are linked to these corrosion phenomena.
“A known phenomenon”, says EDF
EDF did not indicate whether the discovery was likely to cause additional delays for the only EPR under construction on French soil, scheduled to come into service in the first quarter of 2024, 12 years behind the original schedule.
The group also limits itself to indicating that “corrosion of the fuel rod cladding is a known phenomenon, found in particular in the French nuclear fleet” which, if necessary, “is integrated into safety studies”. “It is being eradicated through changes in the metallurgical characteristics of the fuel rod cladding (increased iron content),” adds EDF without specifying which reactors it is referring to in France.
Source: BFM TV
