Westinghouse Agreement Among Plans by South Africa to Develop Nuclear Power Market

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Sebata Group (Johannesburg) and Westinghouse (Monroeville, Pennsylvania) has laid the groundwork for the potential use of Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power reactors in South African power plants.

Sebata also has signed an agreement with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) to investigate and cooperate in the development of local fabrication capabilities for nuclear fuel assembly components.

Meanwhile, nuclear players are waiting for the South African government to approve a plan to add 9,600 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power to the national grid by 2030.

The MOU aims to develop an engineering-led organization engaged in a range of disciplines including safety, health, environment, risk and quality (SHERQ); authorized inspection agency services; manufacturing quality support; skills training; and development in the nuclear industry sector.

"Westinghouse and Sebata Group will utilize their complementary skills in upcoming projects to further develop the expertise required for an eventual nuclear build project in South Africa," said Francois Harari, Westinghouse France, Benelux and South Africa VP and MD. "Supplier development is critical to Westinghouse and that's why we think globally, but act locally."

Matome Edmund Modipa, Sebata's founder and executive chairman, said the move was aligned with the group's strategy to position as a premier SHERQ, engineering, management consulting and training nuclear company in Africa.

For related information, see October 21, 2013, article - Nuclear Heavyweights Compete for South Africa's $250 Million Koeberg Re-fit.

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