Framatome awarded I&C upgrade work at Swiss plant

Instrumentation and control systems - or I&C - coordinate the operation of all the components that make up a nuclear power plant, such as motors, pumps or valves, allowing plant personnel to monitor the status of the plant effectively and supporting safe and reliable power generation through controlling the plant processes.

The modernisation project at Leibstadt is part of Kernkraftwerk Leibstadt AG's (KKL's) ongoing investments at the plant. This investment includes the complete replacement of the safety I&C for the engineered safety functions that will also achieve significant improvements in plant operation and availability, in addition to an ease of maintenance in the future.

Framatome said it will implement the I&C modernisation at Leibstadt based on the latest generation of its digital TELEPERM XS technology, which has been installed or is currently being installed in 92 reactors in 17 countries worldwide.

"Framatome is honoured to once again partner with KKL on this significant I&C modernisation project," said Frédéric Lelièvre, senior executive vice president of Framatome's Sales, Regional Platforms and Instrumentation and Control Business Unit. "This modernisation will not only help improve the safety and efficiency of Switzerland's most powerful nuclear plant, but also reinforce our shared commitment with KKL for their extended safe operations at Leibstadt."

Leibstadt features a single BWR built in the early 1980s. The plant produces 1165 MWe for six utilities with various stakes and provides electricity for two million households. Since 1984, KKL has invested a total of around EUR1.5 billion (USD1.6 billion) in the modernisation and maintenance of the plant. A further EUR1 billion is planned for renovations in the coming years to ensure safe, reliable and economical electricity generation until at least 2045.