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| SNC-Lavalin awarded CANDU pre-project contract in Argentina SNC-Lavalin (TSX: SNC) has been awarded a pre-project contract from Argentina's Nucleoeléctrica Argentina SA (NA-SA) for the CANDU nuclear new build project at the Atucha site in the district of Zàrate, about 100 kilometres from Buenos Aires. If this project materializes, it would be the first CANDU new build since Cernavoda Unit 2 came on line in 2007. The six-month contract will allow SNC-Lavalin to engage with suppliers for long-lead equipment, conduct preliminary design work, deliver safety analysis, offer licensing support and provide technical assistance from Canada. Argentina already owns and operates a CANDU reactor at Embalse, about 650 km northwest of Buenos Aires. Construction of this reactor began in 1976 and it went into commercial operation in 1984. As well as supplying electricity, Embalse is also used to produce Cobalt-60, a radioisotope used in medical and industrial applications. SNC-Lavalin is currently engaged in the life extension of the Embalse reactor. CANDU reactors are fuel-flexible, capable of using natural uranium for fuel, as in Argentina, or advanced fuels like recycled uranium and thorium, as is being developed for use in countries such as China. write your comments about the article :: © 2016 Construction News :: home page |