EnBW Shuts Down Block II of Neckarwestheim Nuclear Power Station

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--German energy company Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW) (Karlsruhe, Germany) has shut down Block II of the Neckarwestheim nuclear power station for annual maintenance.

Neckarwestheim II, which is in the Baden-Württemberg region of southwestern Germany, uses a pressurised water reactor with a generating capacity of 1,400 megawatts (MW). According to EnBW, the reactor was taken off the grid on the weekend of September 25-26. More than 1,500 workers from manufacturers and specialist firms have been brought in to perform approximately 3,500 maintenance tasks. EnBW said that testing and maintenance will be conducted during the inspection, as well as a number of technical projects and the replacement of fuel elements.

"During the inspection, mainly those operations will be carried out which can only be performed when the plant is powered down," said Gerd-Josef Engel, the manager of Block II.

"The biggest technical project here is the replacement of the 380-ton middle section of the generator stand in the power station's machine house. Also, one of three water-feed pumps, main condensate pumps and main coolant water pumps, plus one of four main coolant pumps, will each be fully overhauled. Furthermore, an eddy-current test of the U-pipes will take place in two of the four steam generators, and a further steam generator will be subjected to an internal inspection."

Neckarwestheim II was one of 17 nuclear plants to have its future secured this week when the German government agreed to an ambitious new energy plan for the country. The plant, which was constructed in 1989 and was scheduled to be closed by 2021, has been given a 14-year lifeline. The older Neckarwestheim I plant, built in 1976 and which has a generating capacity of 840 MW, will be allowed to operate for an additional eight years. For additional information, see October 1, 2010, article - Germany Strengthens Nuclear Future by Extending Lives of Power Plants.

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