The reactor produced 100MW of electricity after being connected to the grid. Credit: BeAvPhoto/Shutterstock.

France’s state-run energy operator EDF has integrated the Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor into its national power grid, marking the first expansion of the country’s nuclear power network in 25 years.

The reactor was connected at 11:48am on 21 December 2024, after rigorous tests and inspections, allowing the production of 100MW of electricity.

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Since the first nuclear reaction on 3 September 2024, EDF has been meticulously preparing for the launch of operations.

Flamanville 3, a European pressurised reactor in Normandy, has a capacity of 1.6GW, making it France’s largest and one of the world’s most powerful reactors.

It joins the ranks of the Taishan reactor in China and Finland’s Olkiluoto reactor, which are based on similar designs.

The project faced a 12-year delay and costs escalated to approximately €13bn ($13.5bn), which is four times the initial budget, reported Reuters.

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EDF chairman and CEO Luc Rémont said: “The coupling of the Flamanville EPR is a historical moment for the entire nuclear sector. I would like to salute all the teams who have met the challenges encountered during this project with the greatest tenacity and never compromising on safety. Flamanville 3 joins the three EPRs already in operation in the world, in China and Finland.”

The reactor will undergo further testing and grid connection phases for several months, all under the supervision of the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN).

The electricity output from Flamanville 3, until its first scheduled maintenance shutdown, is projected to be around 14TWh.

The connection of Flamanville 3 is the first development since the last grid addition with Civaux 2 in 1999.

EDF has plans to construct six additional reactors, fulfilling a commitment made by President Emmanuel Macron in 2022, as part of France’s energy transition strategy.