Preliminary revised cost estimates provided by the consortium building the two-unit AP1000 nuclear reactors at VC Summer in Jenkinsville, South Carolina could add more than $1.2 billion on the cost of the project, according to 55% owner South Carolina Electric & Gas.
The cost estimates are actually based on preliminary schedule revisions received in August to the effect that unit 2 would be completed in late 2018-early 2019, and unit 3 would be completed 12 months later. This is about a year later than predictions given in November 2013.
The construction consortium consists of Westinghouse and Chicago Bridge & Iron.
SCE&G said that the delays, which it blames partly on late delivery of structural sub-moduls, have increased costs for non-firm and non-fixed scopes of work amounting to $660 million for its 55% stake. It also said that that figure was presented in 2007 dollars, and excludes some other costs.
SCE&G is currently working on a revised construction schedule of both units but did not say when it would be completed.
It said that the schedule, cost estimates are under review by SCE&G and state-owned utility Santee Cooper, which owns the other 45% of the project. "Neither SCE&G nor Santee Cooper has accepted financial responsibility for any project cost impact associated with these delays."
Picture: Bottom of three containment rings placed on containment vessel bottom head, VC Summer 2, June 2014. Picture from SCE&G
