Westinghouse breidt productiecapaciteit kernbrandstof voor VVER uit wegens roep om diversificatie
VÄSTERÅS, Sweden–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Westinghouse Electric Company breidt zijn fabriek voor kernbrandstof in het Zweedse Västerås uit, als reactie op de gegroeide vraag naar diversificatie van het kernbrandstofaanbod voor VVER-1000-reactoren in Europa. De investering zorgt voor financiering van extra productiefaciliteiten, ontwikkelin van brandstof en de levering van extra verwerkings- en assemblageapparatuur voor de productie van de kernbrandstof. José Emeterio Gutiérrez, senior vicepresident van Westinghouse, heeft de nieuwe faciliteiten officieel ingehuldigd in het bijzijn van vertegenwoordigers van de gemeente Västerås, lokale bedrijven en de Oekraïense ambassade in het koninkrijk Zweden.
Westinghouse Expands VVER Fuel Capacity to Meet Growing Demand for Diversification in Europe
VÄSTERÅS, Sweden–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Westinghouse Electric Company announced the expansion of its Nuclear Fuel Factory, situated in Västerås, Sweden, in response to growing demand for nuclear fuel supply diversification for VVER-1000 reactors in Europe. The investment finances additional production facilities, fuel engineering work, as well as the procurement of additional process and assembly equipment for manufacturing the fuel. The new facilities were officially inaugurated by José Emeterio Gutiérrez, Westinghouse senior vice president for Nuclear Fuel and Components Manufacturing today in the presence of representatives from the Västerås Municipality, local business community and the Ukrainian Embassy to the Kingdom of Sweden.
In 2016 Westinghouse will deliver five reloads to the South Ukraine and Zaporizhia nuclear power plants. Fifty-six percent of Ukraine electricity production relies on VVER-1000 nuclear power plants. In December 2014 Westinghouse and EnergoAtom, Ukraine’s nuclear power plant operator, completed a fuel supply contract extension for its VVER-1000 reactors. Numerous inspections in Ukraine have demonstrated that Westinghouse fuel performs safely and efficiently and to specification in EnergoAtom’s reactors.
“The Västerås’ fuel factory expansion demonstrates our commitment to nuclear energy and security of supply. The growing demand for nuclear fuel underscores the importance of uninterrupted availability of low-carbon energy sources at an affordable price,” said José Emeterio Gutiérrez, “Westinghouse’s increased VVER-1000 fuel production capability at our Västerås facility will enhance security of supply for our customers. Westinghouse takes pride in being the only vendor able to provide fuel to almost all types of reactors around the globe.”
“The expansion of the Västerås fuel factory reaffirms that the nuclear industry is strong and healthy in Europe,” said Aziz Dag, Westinghouse vice president and managing director, Northern and Eastern Europe. “We are also strengthening Europe’s role as an energy and energy technology exporter, benefitting the Västerås local and regional communities and economy,” he added.
Over 60 percent of the 131 nuclear power plants operating in the European Union (EU) are based on Westinghouse technology (U.S. or European in design). Five countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary and Slovakia) operate VVER-design reactors (four VVER-1000 and 14 VVER-440 type reactors), which provide up to 52 percent of total electricity in the country. The five countries are currently 100 percent dependent on fuel supply from a single provider.
To learn more about Westinghouse Electric Company and our 130-year legacy of innovation visit www.westinghousenuclear.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160428005260/en/
Contacts
Westinghouse Electric Company
Hans Korteweg, +32 (0)2 645-7162 (office)
+32 (0)479-75-13-60 (mobile)
Communications & Government Affairs Director
Europe, Middle East & Africa Region
kortewh@westinghouse.com