France's Flamanville 3 Nuclear Reactor Connects to Grid After 17-Year Delay

The state-of-the-art reactor, the first of its kind in France in 25 years, marks a milestone in the country's nuclear energy strategy despite significant cost overruns and delays.

• Flamanville 3, a European Pressurised Reactor in Normandy, was connected to France's electricity grid on December 21, 2024, after 17 years of construction.
• The reactor, with a capacity of 1,600 MW, is the most powerful in France and will eventually supply electricity to over two million homes annually.
• Originally budgeted at €3.3 billion, the project faced extensive delays and technical challenges, with costs ballooning to an estimated €13.2 billion.
• President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized nuclear energy as key to France's low-carbon transition, with plans for six additional reactors and potential for eight more by 2050.
• Flamanville 3 will undergo testing until mid-2025 and full inspections in 2026, contributing to France's position as a leader in low-carbon electricity production in Europe.

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