Ansaldo Nucleare joins the Cammell Lair/Nuvia alliance

18 October 2011


Ansaldo Nucleare, a member of the Italian technology group Finmeccanica, has signed a partnership agreement with Warrington based Nuvia and Birkenhead based Cammell Laird (both of the UK) to design and build heavy modules and components for the UK’s multi-billion pound civil nuclear programme.

The partnership strengthens the initial partnership deal struck in August 2010 between Nuvia and Cammell Laird to enter this market. Ansaldo Nucleare, a subsidiary of Ansaldo Energia, now becomes the third essential partner in the alliance. It brings 30 years experience in the nuclear power sector with capabilities that include plant design, engineering, fabrication management, construction, commissioning, operational assistance, maintenance and decommissioning. In particular, Ansaldo is the designer of the major modules for the Westinghouse AP1000 plant and currently involved in the design and construction of the containment vessel at the Sanmen NPP in China.

The partners propose to build super modules for AP1000 and EPR nuclear power plants, initially for the UK market, using an off-site ‘weather protected’ construction hall and sea access load-out facilities at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, which is capable of handling modules up to 5000 tonne. The principle advantages of this innovative approach say the partners lie in the ability to design and build larger units than previously possible in a weather protected factory environment. This will ultimately reduce construction costs, improve quality, safety and delivery performance while reducing onsite construction content by a considerable factor.

John Syvret, CEO of Cammell Laird said “Ansaldo Nucleare has added an important new dimension to the partnership Nuvia and Cammell Laird formed last year, as they have patented module designs together with operational capability and significant design capacity. These skills when added to the capabilities and infrastructure of Nuvia and Cammell Laird, create a unique formula for the design, offsite construction and installation support of ‘super modules’ for future nuclear power plants to be built in the UK and ultimately around the world.”

Keith Collett, CEO of Nuvia UK commented, “The addition of Ansaldo Nucleare to the already impressive partnership of Nuvia and Cammell Laird creates a significant proposition to the nuclear new build market, increasing the spectrum of capability, knowledge and experience from one collaborative source. This association provides a real opportunity for Nuvia, Ansaldo Nucleare and Cammell Laird to drive innovation and enhance the technical engineering skills offered to the UK and International market.”

Nuvia is one of the United Kingdom's largest independent suppliers of design-and-build nuclear technology, while Cammell Laird is the largest and most successful ship repair and conversion specialist in the UK.




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