Publication Laka-library:
The EPR nuclear reactor: A dangerous waste of time and money: Catalysing an energy revolution
| Author | Greenpeace Int. |
 |
6-01-3-52-06.pdf |
| Date | 2012 |
| Classification | 6.01.3.52/06 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - REACTORS - NEW GENERATIONS - E.P.R.) |
| Front | 
|
From the publication:
The EPR
nuclear reactor
A dangerous waste of
time and money
Briefing January 2012
Catalysing an energy revolution
greenpeace.org Greenpeace International 1
The EPR nuclear reactor
A dangerous waste of time and money
The French EPR* is a nuclear reactor design that is aggressively marketed by the French companies
Areva and EDF. Despite the companies’ marketing spin, not only is the reactor hazardous, it is also more
costly and takes longer to build than renewable-energy alternatives.
While no EPR is currently operating anywhere in the world, four reactors are under construction in
Finland (Olkiluoto 3, construction started in 2005), France (Flamanville 3, 2007) and China (Taishan 1
and 2, 2009-10). The projects have failed to meet nuclear safety standards in design and construction,
with recurring construction defects and subsequent cover-ups, as well as ballooning costs and timelines
that have already slipped significantly.
* EPR: European Pressurised Reactor, sometimes marketed as an ‘Evolutionary Power Reactor’
Countries where the EPR is under construction, where the reactor has been considered but rejected
and where earlier plans are being reviewed or have been scaled back (as of January 2012)
Under construction: Finland | France | China
Rejected: United States | Canada | United Arab Emirates | South Africa | Italy | Lithuania
Plans reviewed/scaled back: India | China
2 Greenpeace International EPR: The French Reactor
The EPR nuclear reactor: A dangerous waste of time and money is an update
of the 2008 Greenpeace International briefing on this reactor. We have added
some of the many new design and construction errors and the economic
setbacks the EPR has run into. We also include more information on the
tremendous gains in the cost performance of renewable energy and the
increase level of investment.
Hazards
Flawed