Westinghouse Electric Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Czech company Vitkovice a.s., in preparation for the potential construction of its AP1000 nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic.
According to the agreement, Westinghouse intends to procure many important components from Vitkovice if the AP1000 reactor is selected for the Temelin nuclear power plant. Such equipment includes vital steelwork for the containment vessel and shield building, various sub-assemblies for structural and mechanical modules, and major components of the reactor circuit.
Westinghouse said that the agreement marks a ‘further important milestone’ in its activities to develop and subsequently deliver a valuable proposal to CEZ, for the construction of the AP1000 nuclear power plant at the Temelin site.
Under the MOU, Westinghouse and Vitkovice will also work together to identify opportunities for members of the Czech Machinery Cluster to become qualified suppliers to Westinghouse.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Westinghouse President for the Europe, Middle East & Africa region, Yves Brachet said:
"I am delighted to be able to sign this important agreement today. Westinghouse has a policy that 'We Buy Where We Build' and this announcement demonstrates how seriously we take that approach - even when it has been explicitly stated by the Czech Government and our potential customer, CEZ, that localization is not something they will be considering in the bid evaluation process.
Mr Svetlik, Vitkovice a.s. Chairman of the Board of Directors said: "I am very happy to be signing this Memorandum, which opens up further opportunities to supply to nuclear energy companies, not only in the Czech Republic or Europe, but also beyond."
