Sometimes, you get a feeling about a construction site even before you set foot on it. At 5:30am on a brisk October Thursday, we stood outside the entrance to the Flamanville nuclear power plant in our KAEFER-branded PPE, waiting for a team member. As we waited, passing KAEFER workers on their way to work greeted us one by one. What’s remarkable? None of them knew us; they had never met us before. Yet each one of them offered us just a handshake and a smile, as well as a sense of belonging. Not just once, but time and again. It’s a small gesture, but in a place defined by its size and complexity, it speaks volumes about the spirit of KAEFER.
Flamanville: A site of superlatives
Flamanville is a landmark of French engineering and ambition, perched on the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy. The site hosts three pressurised water reactors: two 1,300 MWe units (Flamanville 1 and 2) and the new Generation III+ EPR unit, Flamanville 3. The EPR (European Pressurised Reactor) is France’s first new reactor in a quarter-century and, at 1,630 MWe, the most powerful single unit in the country. Flamanville 3 alone can supply about 3 million households with low-carbon electricity, and the entire site is a cornerstone of France’s energy system – historically covering around 4% of the nation’s electricity and two-thirds of Normandy’s demand.
Building Flamanville 3 was a mega-project: 400,000 cubic metres of concrete, 50,000 tonnes of steel, 1,800 kilometres of piping, and a reactor dome weighing 240 tonnes. The project supported thousands of jobs and transformed a former quarry into a key hub for France’s energy future. Today, Flamanville 3 stands as a symbol of both challenge and renewal for the French nuclear industry.
KAEFER’s mission at Flamanville
For over 30 years, KAEFER has been a trusted partner at Flamanville, and for the past 15 years, we have supported the new EPR unit. Our mission: provide EDF with safe access solutions and manage the removal and reinstallation of insulation across all three units. This means scaffolding, insulation, metalwork, and maintenance – often under challenging conditions, always with the highest standards of safety and quality.
The people behind the PPE
The KAEFER team at Flamanville is made up of around 100 colleagues, blending experience and fresh perspective. To show how we bring our mission to life, let’s meet four of the people – each representing the diversity and dedication of the whole team:
Coffee and camaraderie
Before the technical work begins each day, there’s one ritual that brings everyone together: a shared coffee and a chat about what’s ahead. These moments of camaraderie are more than just habit – they’re the foundation of trust and teamwork that carry the team through the day. In a place as complex as Flamanville, it’s these small, human moments that make all the difference.
Technical excellence, human approach
Working across three units for the past 30 years means facing technical and organisational challenges every day, and the ability to collaborate and respond quickly to client needs is essential. “Meeting EDF’s expectations means being ready for anything, at any time,” says Fréderic. This adaptability is what truly makes the KAEFER Team stand out.
This also implies that quality control and traceability are part of every step. The team carries out regular inspections and keeps detailed documentation to ensure every task meets the highest standards. “Our planning and work preparation team regularly check the quality of their work,” Giovanni adds.
The team relies on clear communication, mutual support, and a proactive mindset to get the job done – whether that’s assembling scaffolding for a critical inspection or preparing urgent documentation. Pre-job briefings and “minute stops” allow everyone to check their readiness and make adjustments, ensuring safety and efficiency even as conditions change.
Safety, quality, and nuclear culture
Safety is THE top priority at Flamanville. The team follows EDF’s vital rules, wears the correct PPE, and pays close attention to contamination and radioprotection. At KAEFER, we take safety seriously – regular training, tests, and “causeries” (informal talks) keep safety on everyone’s mind.
The culture of nuclear safety is lived every day, with supervisors conducting site visits and HSE teams providing daily support. Daily safety briefings are a fixture – not just to keep people safe, but to organise activities and reinforce nuclear safety culture. “My job in work preparation is to make sure all the risks we found out about during the site visits are included in the work files,” Coralie explains.
We’re always looking for ways to improve and encourage our team to come up with new ideas and keep making things better.
Pride and perspective
What makes the team proud? For Giovanni, it’s all about the team spirit and mutual understanding, and that’s helping them improve day by day. Coralie is proud to wear KAEFER’s colours and be part of a company that values its people. Fréderic says KAEFER stands out because of its qualifications, expertise, and attention to detail. Thibault is proud of the work his team does and the positive atmosphere they create.
Looking ahead, the team is focused on continuity – maintaining contracts, building on their achievements, and honouring the legacy of those who have contributed to KAEFER’s evolution at Flamanville. “Let’s move forward together,” says Fréderic.
The story of KAEFER at Flamanville is about more than just technical excellence. It’s also about the people who make it happen. The people who greet each other with a handshake, support each other through challenges, and take pride in the work they do.
Note: Written by humans – with a little help from GenAI. This article combines human understanding and intelligent digital tools to bring KAEFER stories to life.