French government considering second EPR

[Reuters, 13 June] French prime minister François Fillon, whilst being interviewed on national television, said that the government was considering constructing a second Evolutionary Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR). He said, "We have already decided to build the first EPR, that's to say a new generation power station." Fillon added, "We are currently considering, with the President of the republic and the industry minister, launching construction of a second station." French utility Electricité de France (EdF) began construction of a demonstration unit of Areva's 1650 MWe EPR in Flamanville in late 2007. The reactor, a third-generation design, is similar to the one under construction at Olkiluoto, Finland. The Flamanville unit is scheduled to begin operating in 2012.

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