The contract comprises of dismantling and segmentation of the reactor vessel internals, including the up-front engineering studies. It also includes plant modifications, equipment supply, and loading of primary and secondary waste, respectively, into multipurpose canisters for the activated material, and into dedicated containers for low- and intermediate-level waste.
Westinghouse will be the lead contractor, and Monlain will be its main subcontractor. The project began in June 2010 and is expected to take 31 months to complete.
Zorita, a 142MWe Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR) operated by Gas Natural Fenosa, was closed by ministerial order in April 2006, after 38 years in operation.
In February 2010, Gas Natural Fenosa transferred the plant’s ownership to Enresa, the Spanish agency responsible for radioactive waste management and nuclear plant decommissioning. Zorita will become the second commercial nuclear reactor (after Vandellos Unit 1) to be dismantled in Spain.
Jose Gutierrez, managing director of Westinghouse in Southern Europe, said: “Westinghouse is proud to have been selected by Enresa to dismantle the reactor vessel internals of the first PWR built in Spain.
“We have global decommissioning and dismantling experience and expertise, and local experts who are eager to carry out this project in a manner that exceeds our customer’s expectations.”
