India Orders Six EPR Reactors Amid Global Nuclear Power Expansion
India has ordered six EPR reactors from French manufacturer EDF, marking a significant step in its nuclear power expansion. This comes as other countries, including France, Finland, and South Korea, are also advancing with EPR and APR-1400 reactor projects.
The EPR reactor in Finland is set to begin generation in May 2019, with penalties in place for any delay. Meanwhile, the EPR reactor in Flamanville, France, is expected to start ramping up in 2019, despite previous issues with faulty workmanship. In South Korea, Shin Kori 4 is scheduled to go online in September 2018, following the successful commercial operation of Shin Kori 3 since December 2016.
India's order for six EPR reactors, announced on 10 March 2018, is a testament to the global interest in these third-generation nuclear reactors. However, safety concerns have been raised following the detection of a cracked component in the Taishan EPRs in China and reports of excessive carbon content in the containment vessel of Taishan 2. Despite these issues, construction continues on two EPRs of French design in China, Taishan 1 and 2, expected to be completed in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The global nuclear power landscape is evolving with the advancement of EPR and APR-1400 reactors. While India's order for six EPR reactors signals confidence in this technology, ongoing projects and safety concerns highlight the need for continued vigilance and improvement in nuclear reactor design and construction.
