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Westinghouse has signed an agreement with Spanish utility Endesa to share information on its AP1000 reactor technology. The move makes Endesa a likely partner for nuclear new build projects in Spain and South America.Ìý

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A twin AP1000 plant (Image: Westinghouse)

The agreement allows the transfer to Endesa of select proprietary Westinghouse information on the AP1000 design, its manufacture and construction. Westinghouse said that Endesa staff will work alongside its own in areas such as engineering, licensing, plant construction support and simulator training.

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In a statement, Westinghouse said, "The agreement is aimed at providing Endesa with more information on the AP1000 design and performance, and with a view to potentially selecting the technology for future new nuclear projects to be built in Spain and South America."

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Ric Perez, Westinghouse president of operations, noted that Endesa has been a long-term customer of Westinghouse in Spain and could be a partner for future projects in Spain and South America. As yet,Ìýno plans have been announced for the construction of AP1000 reactors in those territories.

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Endesa - 92% owned by Italy's Enel - claims to be the leading electricity company in Spain, as well as Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Peru. It also has a presence in Brazil. At home in Spain, the company wholly owns Ascó 1, has 85% of Ascó 2 and 78% of the Vandellos 2 nuclear power units. All of these feature Westinghouse pressurized water reactors. Together the reactors provide 2655 MWe of Endesa's total portfolio of almost 40,000 MWe, some 40% of which is generated in South America.

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Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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