Nu-Tech begins shipment of pressure tubes for Darlington Retube & Feeder Replacement Project, one of Canada's largest green energy projects
ARNPRIOR, ON, May 4, 2017 /CNW/ - Nu-Tech Precision Metals is proud to announce that the first pressure tubes destined for Ontario Power Generation's refurbished Darlington reactors have been completed and are now ready to ship to the Darlington site.
"Since 1957, every pressure tube in an operating CANDU reactor has been made by Nu-Tech," said George Legate, Nu-Tech President. "We're very proud to have been trusted to manufacture this very important component of these reactors."
Nu-Tech was subcontracted by the SNC-Lavalin / Aecon Joint Venture to manufacture the 480 pressure tubes for each of the four reactors undergoing refurbishment at OPG's Darlington site. Manufacturing began two years ago and has been completed eight weeks ahead of schedule. "Nu-Tech is a trusted partner," said Preston Swafford, Chief Nuclear Officer and Executive Vice-President, Nuclear, SNC-Lavalin, on behalf of the Joint Venture. "We know we can count on this team in Arnprior to deliver this specialized nuclear component."
Pressure tubes, made of zirconium are 6 metres long, with a diameter of 11 cm. They house the fuel bundles which contain natural uranium, the fuel for CANDU reactors.
"Our continued partnership with suppliers such as Nu-Tech reinforces the entire nuclear industry's commitment to delivering Canada's largest clean energy project on-time and on-budget," said John M. Beck, President and CEO, Aecon Group Inc., on behalf of the Joint Venture. "We look forward to working on the next phase of this essential program."
"The Darlington Refurbishment Project will not just provide 30 more years of clean reliable energy, the project and continued operations of the station is also helping power Ontario's economy," said Jeff Lyash, OPG President and CEO. "The Darlington Refurbishment is a made-in-Ontario project. Nu-Tech is one of many trusted companies from across Ontario directly engaged in the massive undertaking providing specialized expertise and quality materials."
The Darlington refurbishment project is a large part of Ontario's clean energy equation bringing energy to the province until 2055 and is Canada's largest clean energy project. The project remains on schedule and on budget and recently successfully completed the first of four substantial segments of the Unit 2 refurbishment by isolating Unit 2 from the rest of the generating station. The project and subsequent 30 years of station operation will generate a total of $89.9 billion in economic benefits for Ontario, including the preservation of approximately 3,000 jobs and an expected boost to personal income by an average of $1.6 billion per year.
About Nu-Tech Precision Metals
Nu-Tech Precision Metals is a major manufacturer of seamless titanium pipe and tube in North America. Nu-Tech produces standard and non-standard pipe sizes in many different metals and alloys. Nu-Tech has been the sole supplier of zirconium alloy pressure tubes for the Canadian Nuclear industry. Since 1960, Nu-Tech has gained worldwide recognition as a trusted manufacturer of specialty metal extrusions, fabricated parts and welded components using titanium, zirconium, copper, nickel alloys, steel, niobium, hafnium, tantalum and beryllium.
About the SNC-Lavalin/Aecon Joint Venture
The Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment project will add $14.9 billion to the provincial economy, as well as 8,800 jobs for the project's duration. The SNC-Lavalin/Aecon JV has worked on the definition phase of the project for four years, and will now carry out the execution phase of the refurbishment project. Under the JV agreement between Aecon and SNC-Lavalin, Aecon will provide primarily construction and fabrication services to the JV, while SNC-Lavalin will focus on specialty tooling and engineering. Project management and procurement will be provided jointly by Aecon and SNC-Lavalin. Over 400 JV employees are involved in this exciting zero-emissions energy project.
SOURCE Nu-Tech Precision Metals
Nu-Tech Precision Metals: George Legate, President, 613.623.6544 x301, [email protected]; SNC-Lavalin, Louis-Antoine Paquin, Manager, Media Relations, 514-393-8000 x54771, [email protected]; Aecon: Nicole Court, Director, Corporate Affairs, Phone: 416-297-2600 ext. 3824, [email protected]
Share this article