26 Mar (NucNet): China’s Shanghai Electric Nuclear Power Equipment Company (Senpec) will manufacture six steam generators for South Africa’s Koeberg nuclear power station, the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA) has said.
The steam generators will be manufactured by Senpec for French nuclear vendor Areva, which signed the contract to design, manufacture and install the equipment at Koeberg nuclear station’s two pressurised water reactors in September 2014.
Areva’s contract with South African utility Eskom is worth €300 million (US$388 million). Senpec did not disclose the value of its subcontract.
Senpec vice president Genfu Zhu said the components will comply with international quality standards and are the first step to international recognition of China’s nuclear power equipment manufacturing capabilities.
The manufacturing and delivery of the steam generators will be the first time Senpec delivers equipment outside China.
Senpec manufactures primary and secondary circuit equipment for nuclear power stations, as well as auxiliary equipment and instrumentation and control systems.
In November 2014, South Africa and China signed an inter-governmental agreement that may lead to the use of Chinese technology for new nuclear reactor units in South Africa.
On 23 March 2015, a delegation from the South African Nuclear Energy Association visited China’s State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC). SNPTC said it has “strong interest” in participating in South Africa’s nuclear supply chain.
