Following press reports that Areva is set to win a construction order for two reactors at the Yangjiang site in China’s Guangdong province – a site previously earmarked for Westinghouse – a statement issued by Westinghouse has confirmed that no Westinghouse AP1000 units are currently planned for that site.
Areva declined to comment on the “rumours of the last weeks,” but confirmed that it is currently “engaged in discussions with our Chinese partners for a deal covering the supply of nuclear reactors and services on the fuel nuclear cycle.” The company added: “Discussions are still going on” and that “no contract has been concluded.” But the apparent change of location for Westinghouse is consistent with reports that Areva is negotiating to build two 1600MWe EPR reactors at Yangjiang for China Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding Company.
On 16 December 2006, US energy secretary Samuel Bodman and Chinese chairman of National Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that envisages the construction of two Westinghouse AP1000 units at the Yangjiang site and a further two AP1000s at the Sanmen site in Zhejiang province. However, on 28 February, Westinghouse and its consortium partner, The Shaw Group, negotiated a framework agreement with China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Company (SNPTC) to provide two AP1000 units at Sanmen and two at the Haiyang site in the Shandong province.
The framework agreement confirms the basic requirements and obligations of all parties involved and includes funding for long lead materials and early engineering. Final contracts will be finalised by mid 2007. Construction is expected to begin in 2009, with the first plant becoming operational in 2013, Westinghouse said.
When asked about the change of site, Westinghouse replied: “The sites changed over the last few months. This has no impact on Westinghouse or the scope of our work.”
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