Decouple EPR: The Reactor That Tried to Please Everyone and Satisfied No One
Jan 15, 2026
Michael Seeley, the 'Atomic Blender' and insightful nuclear industry analyst, dives into the complex world of the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR). He discusses how the EPR's ambitious design, aimed at satisfying every regulatory requirement, led to construction chaos. The conversation reveals the differences between the EPR and other reactor designs, like the AP1000, focusing on their safety philosophies and build complexities. Michael also highlights why certain countries successfully executed their reactor projects despite challenges, offering a provocative look at the future of nuclear energy.
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Designed To Please Everyone
- The EPR was designed as a Swiss-army reactor to satisfy French and German preferences and many regulators.
- That "say yes to everything" approach made it very large, complex, and hard to build.
Gen‑3+ Is A Marketing Shade
- Gen 3+ is a fuzzy marketing bucket often tied to lower core-damage risk via extra systems or passive features.
- EPR achieves its safety margin by adding many active redundant systems rather than passive physics-based designs.
Redundancy Multiplies Construction Risk
- The EPR multiplies redundant systems (e.g., four 100% safety trains) which multiplies civil, piping, and cabling complexity.
- More penetrations and systems raise inspection and rework risk, especially with decades‑dormant supply chains.