France’s Flamanville Nuclear Reactor to Connect to Grid After 12-Year Delay

The long-awaited Flamanville 3 reactor will begin supplying electricity on December 20, marking a milestone in France’s push to expand nuclear energy.

Flamanville 3, France’s newest nuclear reactor, will connect to the national grid on December 20, 2024, after a 12-year delay and significant cost overruns.
The project’s budget has ballooned to €13.2 billion, nearly four times the original estimate of €3.3 billion, due to technical setbacks and delays since construction began in 2007.
Once fully operational, the reactor will generate 1,600 MW of power, enough to supply electricity to approximately two million homes.
The reactor will undergo a testing phase at varying power levels until summer 2025, after which it is expected to operate at full capacity until its first scheduled maintenance shutdown in 2026.
Flamanville 3 is central to France’s renewed focus on nuclear energy, with President Macron committing to the construction of six additional reactors to bolster energy independence and sustainability.