Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has signed formal agreements with Nucleoeléctrica Argentina Sociedad Anónima (NASA), operator of Argentina's Embalse Nuclear Generating Station, to begin work on the retubing and refurbishment of the station's CANDU reactor. The contract is valued at around $440 million and could see the reactor operate for an additional 25-30 years.
AECL will begin the execution of the contract with direct support from SNC-Lavalin Nuclear Inc. until the transaction between AECL and Candu Energy Inc a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., to acquire the commercial assets of AECL's CANDU Reactor Division closes. At that point, Candu Energy will take over full responsibility for the contract.
The contract includes the provision of key technologies and tools to support the retubing project as well as engineering and supply for plant upgrades. NASA will be the overall project manager for the refurbishment project and will directly carry out all reactor component procurement and oversee the on-site work.
The Embalse CANDU 6 reactor began commercial operation in January 1984. The single-unit has a gross output of 648 MWe and was originally designed by AECL.
