TVO today announced that it has obtained approval from the Finnish nuclear safety authority (STUK) for loading fuel into the OLKILUOTO 3 EPR nuclear reactor. Fuel loading will therefore start before the end of March 2021 as announced on 28 August last.
AREVA is delighted to have reached this key milestone, which is the result of the outstanding engagement of all the teams and the fruit of an efficient cooperation with TVO, carried out in a context seriously affected by the impact of COVID on the operation of the construction site and throughout the supply chain.
The OLKILUOTO 3 reactor is thus the first European EPR to reach the fuel loading milestone. This project has benefited from the support of all players in the EPR sector, and in particular of Framatome and EDF, who have brought their skill and experience from French nuclear power plants and from other EPR projects.
AREVA and its teams remain fully mobilized for the continuation of the project, with plans in 2021 to carry out heat testing, set off the divergence of the reactor, and connect the reactor to the grid.
AREVA SA consolidates the operations of AREVA NP and is in charge of completing the construction works of an EPR reactor on the nuclear site of Olkiluoto, in Finland (project OL3).
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