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Chooz nuclear power plant A

Retired France
Gross capacity
320MW

Chooz nuclear power plant A is a pressurised water reactor unit at Chooz nuclear power plant in France rated at 320 MW gross. It is retired. Commercial operation began 15 Apr 1967.

Specification
Reactor type Pressurised water reactor (PWR)
ModelCHOOZ-A
Size classLarge
CoolantLight water
ModeratorLight water
Gross capacity320MW
Net capacity (reference)305MW
Net capacity (design)280MW
Thermal output1,040MWt
Typical enrichment3–5% U-235
Ownership & location
SiteChooz nuclear power plant
UnitA
CountryFrance
OwnerElectricité de France SA100%
OperatorSociete D'Energie Nucleaire Franco-Belge Des Ardennes
Coordinates 50.0901, 4.7872
Fuel chain for this unit
Fuel form
Uranium dioxide pellets in zirconium-alloy cladding
Enrichment
3–5% U-235
Who makes this assembly
Upstream

Enriched fuel means this unit sits downstream of five conversion plants and four enrichment operators holding 88% of world capacity between the top three.

RosatomUrencoCNNCOrano
Conversion
CamecoCNNCConverDynOranoRosatom
Fabricator capability is recorded against reactor type and model line, not against named units — utilities do not publish fuel contracts. See the fuel chain.

Timeline

  1. 1 Jan 1962Construction start
  2. 18 Oct 1966First criticality
  3. 3 Apr 1967Grid connection
  4. 15 Apr 1967Commercial operation
  5. 30 Oct 1991Permanent shutdown

Other units at Chooz nuclear power plant

UnitStatusGross MW
Chooz nuclear power plant B-1 Operating 1,560
Chooz nuclear power plant B-2 Operating 1,560

Sources