EPR
European Pressurized Reactor
Generation III+ pressurized water reactor developed by Framatome (formerly Areva) with 1650 MWe capacity and four-train safety systems.
The EPR features a large 4500 MWth core, double containment, and core catcher for meltdown mitigation. Units under construction include Flamanville 3 (France, delayed to 2024), Olkiluoto 3 (Finland, operational 2023), and Hinkley Point C (UK). Design certified in Finland and under review in UK.
Why it matters now
EPR2 variant advances in 2025-2026 amid European energy security push, with Sizewell C deployment influencing investor confidence in large Gen III+ amid SMR competition.