First European Pressurised Reactor Goes Live in China

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The world's first European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) has been fully commissioned and has begun commercial operations at the Taishan nuclear power plant in China.

Designed by French companies AREVA (Paris, France) and Électricité de France SA (EPA:EDF) (Paris) the EPR at Unit 1 of Taishan is the first of two and has a generating capacity of 1,750 megawatts (MW). Taishan's two reactors are capable of supplying the Chinese power grid with up to 24 terawatt hours (TWh), enough for 5 million consumers. The 8 billion-euro ($9 billion) contract was signed with China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) (Shenzhen) in 2007.

The commissioning is vital for the future of the EPR design, which has been at the heart of a number of disastrous European rollouts at projects in Flamanville, France, and Olkiluoto 3 in Finland. The Flamanville 3 project was meant to showcase the EPR, but the start date has been pushed back repeatedly from its original date of 2012 while costs have rocketed from an original budget of 3.3 billion euro ($4 billion) to 10.5 billion ($12.9 billion). Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) is running more than 10 years late and billions of euro overbudget. OL3 was to cost 3.2 billion euro ($3.9 billion) when contracts were signed in 2003, but according to TVO, costs have spiralled to 5.5 billion euro ($6.8 billion). Earlier this year, Industrial Info reported that AREVA had agreed to pay 450 million euro ($554 million) in damages to Finland's Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) (Eurajoki) for delays and cost overruns at OL3. For additional information, see March 19, 2018, article - AREVA to Pay $554 Million in Damages for Finnish Nuclear Fiasco.

He Yu, Chairman of China General Nuclear said: "Taishan 1's entry into operation marks the accomplishment of the task set by the Chinese and French heads of state. As the world's first EPR project, Taishan offers valuable lessons and solutions for the construction of similar reactors worldwide and it will play a demonstrative and supportive role in the joint construction of the Hinkley Point C project in the U.K. by CGN and EDF."

Jean-Bernard Lévy, EDF chairman and chief executive officer, added: "The commissioning of Taishan 1, the world's first EPR to enter into commercial operation, is a key achievement for the entire French nuclear industry as it demonstrates its capacity to develop this third-generation nuclear technology in line with the highest safety and quality standards. EPR is a major asset in addressing the challenge facing many countries: reconciling the growth of electricity demand with the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The Taishan project also illustrates our approach to developing EPRs worldwide, in cooperation with valued partners such as CGN."

Industrial Info is tracking the Hinkley Point C project, the U.K.'s first proposed new nuclear project in 25 years, which is currently running more than a year behind schedule and will cost an extra £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) to construct according to developer EDF. For additional information, see July 7, 2017, article - U.K. Nuclear Project Hits Delays, Costs Rise by $1.9 Billion.

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