EDF's European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) reactor in Flamanville is now seven years late and costs have more than tripled to €12.4 billion. Folz said that in spite of the problems, the EPR project has successfully demonstrated the "relevance" of the new technology. The EDF's board a few months ago discussed abandoning the Flamanville project but the French state still supports the build despite frustration with the delays. A similar EPR third generation nuclear power plant project in Olkiluoto in Finland is now 10 years behind the initial schedule. France relies on nuclear power for 72 percent of its electricity needs.

Source: The Local October 28, 2019 14:15 UTC