Westinghouse, SNPAS extend I&C cooperation
Westinghouse has today signed two cooperation agreements with China's State Nuclear Power Automation System Engineering Company (SNPAS) related to instrumentation and control (I&C) systems.
The first agreement between Westinghouse and SNPAS - a joint venture between China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) and Shanghai Automation Instrumentation Corporation (SAIC) - extends a cooperation deal signed in November 2010 for I&C systems for AP1000 units to be built in China. Under the original agreement, SNPAS was the I&C general contractor, while Westinghouse was the I&C major subcontractor. The extension of that agreement covers the supply of I&C systems for future Chinese AP1000 projects.
The second agreement covers I&C systems for future global SNPTC nuclear power plant projects, using designs derived from the AP1000 design by SNPTC. Earlier this year, Westinghouse and SNPTC signed a memorandum of understanding covering a broad range of areas of cooperation; this second agreement falls under that strategic nuclear technology partnership.
The signing of the cooperation agreements took place in London on the sidelines of the World Nuclear Association's 2014 Annual Symposium. It was witnessed by Westinghouse president and CEO Danny Roderick and SNPTC chairman Wang Binghua.
In September 2007, Westinghouse and its partner the Shaw Group received authorization to construct four AP1000 units in China: two at Sanmen in Zhejiang province and two more at Haiyang, Shandong province. The transfer of knowledge and technology from Westinghouse featured in the agreement. The first AP1000 at Sanmen is expected to start up in December 2015. China wants to become self-sufficient in deploying AP1000s and its own derivatives, such as the CAP1400.
Westinghouse's senior vice president of nuclear automation and field services David Howell said, "Westinghouse is committed to supporting the localization of AP1000 instrumentation and control products through our partnership with SNPAS."
Westinghouse said that it expects there to be 20 AP1000 units under construction in China over the next five years. By 2030, 30 such reactors should be in operation in China.
Under its agreement with China, Westinghouse has licensed the AP1000 technology for development of the domestic nuclear industry. Going forward, it expects to localize production of some components in China. China's licence for the AP1000 does not allow it to export such reactors. However, Westinghouse said it will assist SNPTC in reviewing the CAP1400 design, which could be exported. The company said that it may be able to supply components such as reactor coolant pumps and steam generators, as well as fuel, for the CAP1400.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
