Work is part of long-term operation strategy for single BWR unit
French nuclear equipment manufacturer Framatome has been awarded a contract to modernise the instrumentation and control (I&C) systems at the Leibstadt nuclear power station in Switzerland, a statement by the company said.
According to the statement, the project is part of an ongoing investment strategy to ensure Leibstadt’s long-term operation until at least 2045. The statement did not say how much the contract was worth.
The I&C system in a nuclear power plant monitors critical parameters and enables operators to control equipment and systems during normal and emergency operations. It ensures the plant runs safely, efficiently and responds automatically to any abnormal conditions.
Framatome said the modernisation contract will include the complete replacement of the safety I&C for the engineered safety functions which will also improve plant operation and availability, in addition to an ease of maintenance in the future.
Leibstadt is a 1,220-MW boiling water reactor that has been in commercial operation since 1984. It is Switzerland’s largest nuclear reactor unit.
The plant is owned by Leibstadt AG (KKL), a consortium of seven Swiss energy companies, including Axpo, Alpiq and BKW Energie.
Framatome said KKL has already invested a total of around €1.5bn ($1.62bn) in the modernisation and maintenance of Leibstadt, while another €1bn is earmarked for investment to make sure the plant is ready for safe and reliable operation until 2045.
Switzerland has four nuclear reactors in commercial operation at three sites: Beznau-1, Beznau-2, Gösgen and Leibstadt. Nuclear power provides about a third of Swiss power generation.
