Electricite de France suspended concrete pouring at Flamanville-3 after the discovery of “anomalies” in the construction project, France’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority, or ASN said on May 27. ASN found the anomalies, which involve non-conformances in the arrangement of some steel rebar compared to blueprints, during an inspection in March and again May 21.

ASN also cited cracks in the basemat of the nuclear island of the 1,600-MW-class EPR. ASN said there were no safety problems per se, but that EDF had to improve quality control. EDF said it was premature to talk of delays in the commercial operation of the reactor which is scheduled for 2012.