International tie-up bolsters AP1000 supply chain
Westinghouse and China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corp have formed a joint venture to develop the global AP1000 supply chain.
Westinghouse and China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corp (SNPTC) have formed a joint venture to develop the global AP1000 supply chain.
The joint venture will initially assist Chinese manufacturing companies in meeting quality and safety standards for supplying equipment and components for AP1000 plants in that country's build program.
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| Concept of a plant based on a single AP1000 unit (Image: Westinghouse) |
In the longer term, the joint venture aims to help qualified Chinese suppliers export their products around the world, as well as assist global suppliers in importing their parts to China.
Official launch
A ceremony to mark the establishment of the joint venture - called SNPTC-WEC Nuclear Power Technical Services (Beijing) Co Ltd - was held recently in Beijing. In addition to representatives from Westinghouse and SNPTC, it was attended by staff from Chinese suppliers including Harbin Electric Group, Dongfang Electric Group and Shanghai Electric Group.
Westinghouse president and CEO Danny Roderick said, "We expect to provide new opportunities for business both within and outside of China. By forming this joint venture, we have a mechanism for delivering our goods and services together to a broader range of customers, delivering mutual business success."
SNPTC chairman Wang Binghua commented, "This joint venture is the latest case to show that Westinghouse and SNPTC are strategic partners in providing products and services that will help provide future generations in China and elsewhere around the world with safe, clean and reliable electricity."
Westinghouse and SNPTC are working on the construction of four AP1000 reactors in China. Supplied by Westinghouse, Haiyang 1 and 2 and Sanmen 1 and 2 are due to start up in 2014-2015. They form the first of a fleet of AP1000 reactors planned for China. Technology transfer to general contractor SNPTC has formed a major part of the project.
In January, Westinghouse and China's State Nuclear Power Automation System Engineering Company - a joint venture between SNPTC and Shanghai Automation Instrumentation Corporation Ltd - formed a partnership to provide instrumentation and control systems for China's future AP1000 nuclear power plants.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
