On 29 January, Westinghouse and parent-company Toshiba Corporation signed memoranda of understanding with two Czech firms Excon Steel a.s. and MODRANY Power a.s.
The "majority" of the 80,000 metric tons of raw production and fabricated steel products utilized in the AP1000 would be sourced through its existing Czech partners Metrostav and Vítkovice a.s, Westinghouse said. Those two firms would be responsible for procuring the structural building steel, reinforcing steel bar (rebar), as well as the steel needed for AP1000 structural and mechanical modules.
Westinghouse also pledged to work with the industry to qualify other Czech firms that will be contracted to manufacture high grade steel components to meet stringent nuclear requirements. "MODRANY Power could potentially provide a majority of the Temelín AP1000 piping needs, which will require the firm to be qualified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)," it said.
Westinghouse added that "Czech steel capabilities put them in a position to be the supplier of choice for other AP1000 opportunities in the European region."
