The Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) on Wednesday deemed
"acceptable"
the solution proposed by EDF to repair the latest problem to date on the site of the EPR reactor in Flamanville (Manche), that of the so-called
"nozzle"
welds
, while requesting additional elements.
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The nuclear gendarme explains in a note not to oppose the installation of a retaining collar on these pipe connections suffering from a
"design deviation"
, thus avoiding EDF more complex repairs which would have threatened the start-up. reactor at the end of 2022, already ten years behind schedule.
ASN
"considers that the solution proposed by EDF is acceptable in principle"
but
"will give a final decision when EDF has provided the expected elements concerning the demonstration of the efficiency of the device, the design, manufacturing and operating requirements. applicable to the collars and the quality of the implantation welds around which these collars will be mounted, ”
she said in a note.
Six EPRs to be built
"We have no objection in principle to the proposed solution, but EDF's side remains to finalize the design of this solution and to ask ASN on the basis of a technical file so that we can conclude definitely, ”
Julien Collet, ASN Deputy Director General, told AFP.
ASN made public in March a design deviation reported by EDF concerning three taps on the main primary circuit - in which the water which cools the reactor core circulates - of the EPR under construction.
The tapping corresponds to the part of a pipe which connects it to another.
There were three options: consolidate the nozzles with retaining collars, cut and replace the sections in question, or finally repair the welds.
Only the first, which was favored by EDF, made it possible to meet the schedule, which has already experienced significant delays.
"EDF does not mention the need to review its schedule for the implementation of this device"
collar, while the other solutions would have taken
"several years,"
said Mr. Collet.
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The Flamanville EPR, whose construction began in December 2007, was initially due to be put into service in 2012, but its site was affected by many setbacks and additional costs.
France plans to build six additional EPRs but has not made a decision yet.