Westinghouse, Shaw Group to Provide Four AP1000 Nuclear Power Plants in China

August 6, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

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Westinghouse Electric Company LLC and The Shaw Group Inc. signed multi-billion-dollar contracts with State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation Ltd. (SNPTC), Sanmen Nuclear Power Company Ltd, Shandong Nuclear Power Company Ltd. and China National Technical Import & Export Corporation (CNTIC) to provide four AP1000 nuclear power plants in China.

Specific terms were not disclosed, but the agreements are expected to generate or sustain no less than 5,000 U.S. jobs within Westinghouse, Shaw and suppliers in at least 20 states.

The agreements signed followed by five months the signing of framework agreements that confirmed the basic requirements and obligations of all parties involved. Preliminary design, engineering and long-lead procurement work has already begun.

The four plants are to be constructed in pairs at Sanmen and Haiyang sites. Construction is expected to begin in 2009, with the first plant becoming operational in late 2013. The remaining three plants are expected to come on-line in 2014 and 2015.

According to Westinghouse, the AP1000 is attractive because it is:

• The safest, most advanced, yet proven nuclear power plant currently available in the worldwide marketplace.
• Based on standard Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology that has achieved more than 2,500 reactor years of highly successful operation.
• An 1100MWe design that is ideal for providing baseload generating capacity.
• Modular in design, promoting ready standardization and high construction quality.
• Economical to construct and maintain (due to less concrete and steel and fewer components and systems).
• Designed to promote ease of operation (features most advanced instrumentation and control in the industry).

Westinghouse, with Shaw, supplied the world's first PWR in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa. Today, Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants, including 60% of those in the U.S., according to Westinghouse.

"The definitive contracts signed today will result in the first-ever deployment of advanced U.S. nuclear power technology in China," said Westinghouse President and CEO Steve Tritch. "The plants will greatly increase China's ability to generate significant additional baseload electricity in a clean, safe and economical manner."

Westinghouse is a group company of Toshiba Corp.

Source: Westinghouse.