CANDU technology could help UK safely and efficiently dispose of plutonium stockpiles while providing low carbon electricity to power British consumers
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Candu Energy Inc. welcomes the sharing of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) assessment of plutonium management options with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
"The inclusion of CANDU® technology by the NDA is a crucial step towards achieving a permanent solution for the UK's plutonium stocks," said Ala Alizadeh, Candu Energy Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development. "Our CANMOX™ solution combines existing technology with an economically competitive way to dispose of such stockpiles." The NDA has confirmed that CANDU technology remains a credible option for plutonium disposition and has engaged Candu Energy to provide further information.
The CANMOX solution would involve Candu Energy building four Generation III Enhanced CANDU 6® (EC6®) reactors to reuse the UK's existing plutonium stockpile as fuel to produce up to 2800MWe of low carbon power for sale to UK consumers. The 60 year design life EC6 reactor has successfully completed its formal regulatory design review by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
"Candu Energy's aim in the UK is to develop an integrated solution to safely, securely and efficiently dispose of the country's civil plutonium stockpile," said Dr. Alizadeh, "which would result in the construction of safe, reliable and economic EC6 reactors and provide high value UK content, and long-term UK jobs in construction, supply chain and operation for both the fuel plant and reactors."
About Enhanced Candu 6
The Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC6) is a 700 MWe class heavy-water moderated and heavy-water cooled pressure tube reactor. It is the only commercialized reactor offering flexible fuelling arrangements from natural uranium to advanced fuels such as recycled uranium, thorium and plutonium mixed oxide (MOX). This fuel flexibility is combined with superior safety and economic performance, high reliability, flexible load capabilities, very high localization potential and straightforward integration into the existing grid system. CANDU reactor operators currently fabricate or procure their own fuel locally, increasing their energy independence and creating a nuclear fuel infrastructure without the need for enrichment.
About Candu Energy Inc.
Candu Energy Inc. is a leading full-service nuclear technology company providing nuclear power reactors and nuclear products and services to customers worldwide. Candu Energy's 1,400 highly skilled employees design and deliver state-of-the-art CANDU reactors, carry out life extension projects, offer operations, maintenance, plant life management and waste and decommissioning services for the global nuclear industry.
There are 47 CANDU or CANDU-type nuclear reactors operating around the world on four continents.
Candu Energy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (TSX: SNC). For more information, visit www.candu.com.
SOURCE: Candu Energy Inc.
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