By Serge Duchêne
The French government has authorised energy producer and supplier EDF (100% owned by the state) to begin preparatory work for the construction of two future EPR2 reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power station in the Nord département.
Under a decree published in the Official Journal, the authorisation grants the energy company the "environmental authorisation" to start site preparation work for the EPR2 reactors.
The list of "activities, installations, structures and works" includes in particular the servicing of the platforms and the creation of construction facilities, the relocation of the rail terminal of the Gravelines nuclear power plant (CNPE), earthworks and the creation of a watertight enclosure beneath the footprint of the buildings of the future industrial block, as well as ground reinforcement, initial civil engineering works and the construction of an intake channel.
The project also provides for the relocation of protected fauna and flora (to be carried out during favourable periods) and the construction of a new public information centre.
