AECL Signs Strategic Alliance With China

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and the Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute (SNERDI) have agreed to undertake joint programs in the development of advanced CANDU technology and products.

"This strategic partnership agreement provides a platform to promote the localization and further development of CANDU technology in China ", said Dr. Ken Petrunik, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. "AECL and SNERDI had worked very closely together during construction of the very successful Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (TQNPP) and our relationship has flourished since then."

AECL and SNERDI will undertake the following:

- joint engineering work on CANDU operational support areas including plant life management, maintenance, and inspection;

- cooperate on joint development projects on operation of CANDU reactors, including fuel management and fuel cycle studies for existing and future CANDU fuel designs;

- jointly refine and apply the advanced engineering tools used by AECL to engineering tasks in CANDU design, construction, and operation.

"SNERDI has gained considerable experience with the CANDU design through the Qinshan CANDU project", says Xia Zhiding, Vice President and Chief Engineer of SNERDI. "The newly signed cooperation agreement is an important step for SNERDI to consolidate and further develop CANDU expertise." In 2003, SNERDI has established a CANDU Engineering Center (CEC) in cooperation with AECL to provide technical service to TQNPP and to participate in design of AECL's new generation advanced design ACR.

The ACR is a pressurized light water reactor that retains the unique CANDU advantages and incorporates proven design innovations and optimization.

AECL has a proven track record in China having recently completed two CANDU 6 units on budget and ahead of time at the Qinshan Phase III site in Zhejiang Province.

The CANDU 6 is one of the world's most successful power reactor designs providing emissions-free electricity to countries on four continents. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is the design authority for CANDU nuclear reactors and is completing the development of an innovative next generation system - the Advanced CANDU Reactor.