Factory Built Nuclear Power Plants

China has recently completed a factory to build modules for AP1000 nuclear power reactors. The 71000 square meter factory was completed in 11 months and can build the parts for two AP1000 reactors each year. China is wanting 100 Westinghouse AP1000 reactors to be built or being built by 2020.

Now a similar factory will be built in Louisiana and operating by the third quarter of 2009. Westinghouse and partner Shaw Group are providing four new plants in China, and they have been identified for no less than 14 plants in the United States. Other markets are fast emerging. A global system of dedicated factories producing identical models should enable far greater standardization of nuclear power as well as speedier construction.

Toshiba of Japan, majority owner of Westinghouse, is preparing for future nuclear power plant contracts by forming many new business partnerships with nuclear power plant component suppliers, including Ishikawajima-Harima Industries of Japan and Doosan Heavy Industries of South Korea.

Similarly, Russia is attempting to speed up and expand the scope of its new nuclear power plant construction. Two new reactors are planned for 2016 and have recently been changed to a higher capacity design.