French state-controlled utility EDF is aiming to reduce the cost of its future EPR projects by 30%, based on lessons learned from the delayed construction of the Flamanville-3 project in northern France and the Olkiluoto-3 project in western Finland, according to Jean-Pierre West, the company’s director for optimisation and performance of engineering. Mr West told a conference in Brussels that the reduction can be achieved by avoiding a number of unexpected contingency costs of the kind incurred during the construction of the two existing EPR projects. Construction of Flamanville-3 began in 2007 and of Olkiluoto-3 in 2005. Both units are expected to come online in 2019. Mr West said the final cost of the Flamanville-3 project is estimated at €10.5bn ($12.4bn), up from about €6.5bn at the start of construction. He said standardisation of the design, construction, safety and licensing process is vital for controlling project costs. He said better project management and more digitalisation are some of the ways EDF can move forward. Asked about the cost of the Hinkley Point C EPR project in England.
NucNet 23rd Oct 2017 read more »
