EDF receives ASN approval for first nuclear reaction at Flamanville 3 reactor

France’s nuclear safety authority, Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN), has granted EDF a critical divergence agreement for the Flamanville 3 reactor, allowing the initiation of its first nuclear reaction. Following the fuel loading in May 2024, this marks a significant milestone for the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) teams. The divergence process will trigger a stable nuclear reaction at a very low power level, just 0.2% of the reactor’s capacity. Afterwards, a detailed testing phase will…