13 Mar (NucNet): France’s nuclear regulator ASN said on 12 March 2018 that a steam generator at state-controlled utility EDF’s Fessenheim-2 nuclear power plant in the east of the country is fit for service.
Fessenheim-2 has been offline since 12 June 2016 for safety checks on the steam generator after irregularities were found at the Le Creusot forge that manufacturers steel components. ASN said today that anomalies during the forging process would not affect the steam generator’s operation.
ASN said it had lifted the suspension it had placed on the reactor. The 880-MW pressurised water reactor unit is expected back online on 31 March 2018. It began commercial operation in April 1978. Its sister unit, Fessenheim-1, is the oldest operational reactor in France.
ASN said it had examined evidence submitted by Framatome, formerly Areva NP, and the mechanical properties of the material comply with specifications in initial design studies. The evidence was also examined by ASN’s technical arm, IRSN.
The Framatome evidence was based on tests on the steam generator itself and on chemical analysis and mechanical tests on representative parts. The tests were monitored by an independent body.
