Framatome, the French designer and supplier of nuclear steam supply system and equipment, has secured a modernisation contract from energy company EDF.
As per the terms of the contract, Framatome will upgrade the instrumentation and control (I&C) system on EDF’s 900MWe reactor fleet in France.
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Based on the studies, which have been underway since 2015, initiation of the first on-site operations will take place next year, coinciding with the fourth ten-yearly inspections of the 900MWe series reactors.
The upgrade work is reportedly part of a wider French nuclear reactor modernisation programme, which has been created to enhance the nuclear reactors’ lifespan beyond 40 years.
Framatome, which will serve as the prime contractor for the upgrade project, will perform the upgrade works on 32 reactors.
The modernisation of I&C system, which is said to be the ‘brain and central nervous system’ of a power plant, will enhance the safety of the plant and facilitate future maintainability.
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By GlobalDataFramatome intends to make use of its own expertise and enter into partnership with other French companies to procure a part of the technology associated with this contract.
Framatome Regions and I&C sale senior executive vice-president Frédéric Lelièvre said: “Following the contract awarded to us in 2011 to modernise the I&C system on the 1,300MWe series reactors in France, we are delighted that EDF has chosen us again.”
In May this year, Framatome signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Russian company JSC Rusatom Automated Control Systems.
As per the terms of the MoU, both companies have agreed to enhance their cooperation in the field of I&C.
