10th EPROOG Summit Brings EPR Operators Together in Taishan
The 10th edition of the EPROOG (EPR Owner Operators Group) summit, which brings together operators of EPR technology reactors from around the world, is being held on May 14–15, 2025, in Taishan, China. This milestone event marks ten years of technical exchange and peer collaboration in support of the global EPR fleet.
Founded in 2015, EPROOG unites EPR reactor owner-operators with a shared goal: to exchange best practices, learn from operational experience, and improve project performance. Each year, the group holds a summit hosted in turn by one of its members. After Flamanville in 2024, Taishan was chosen to host this 10th edition—a decision that holds deep symbolic meaning.
Taishan is the first EPR site to have entered operation globally and holds a unique place in the history of the technology. The two units, operated by the Franco-Chinese joint venture TNPJVC, were commissioned in 2018 and 2019. In 2023, Taishan 2 set a global record with an output of 12.8 TWh, demonstrating the EPR’s performance at full power.
This flagship site also represents a successful example of close industrial cooperation between China and France. Developed in partnership with CGN, Taishan was the first project to embody France’s export ambitions for the EPR. EDF continues to play an active role on site alongside its Chinese partners. Hosting the 10th EPROOG summit in Taishan is thus a tribute to a successful and long-standing collaboration that offers valuable lessons to all members.
A Structure Built Around Two Committees
EPROOG’s activities are organized around two working groups: one focused on project delivery—from final investment decision to commissioning—and the other on reactor operations. Each group is overseen by a strategic committee composed of either project directors or operations directors.
“EPROOG enables us to build on feedback from each site, regardless of its development stage. It’s built on a principle of mutual exchange,” explained François Verdiel, Secretary of the Strategic Committee and Deputy Director of International Nuclear Development at EDF.
The group currently includes five members: TNPJVC (Taishan 1&2), TVO (Olkiluoto 3), EDF (Flamanville 3), EDF Energy (Hinkley Point C), and Sizewell C, which joined EPROOG in 2024. The latter joined even before its final investment decision, reflecting a strong commitment to anticipating technical challenges from the earliest phases.
Valuable Operational Feedback for Flamanville
EPROOG’s benefits are clearly visible at Flamanville 3. Connected to the grid in December 2024, the reactor is now progressing toward full power operation, targeted for summer 2025. Throughout this critical phase, the Flamanville teams have drawn on lessons learned from the operational sites of Taishan and Olkiluoto. These insights helped anticipate key challenges, secure test schedules, and strengthen team preparedness—both technically and organizationally.
Flamanville is now contributing in return. Its recent experience in transitioning from construction to commissioning and then to operations is enriching discussions within the dedicated operations committee. These exchanges are especially valuable to members still in preparation, such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, by providing practical insights into the final stages leading up to commercial operation.
A Framework for the Future of the EPR Fleet
As nuclear energy regains momentum in France and across Europe—with several EPR projects under discussion—EPROOG is emerging as a key tool to ensure knowledge continuity and the transmission of operational excellence. “It’s also about building a shared base of competencies for future operators,” added François Verdiel.
Over the past decade, EPROOG has established itself as a discreet yet vital platform serving industrial performance and nuclear safety. Its peer-to-peer model, founded on trust and confidentiality, continues to strengthen the effectiveness of the EPR sector at the international level.■