27 March 2012
Westinghouse will split its nuclear power plant business unit into two distinct organizations - one to focus on the delivery of new plant projects to existing customers and the other to develop new plant opportunities globally.
The Nuclear Power Plants business currently specializes in two major product lines: the development and startup of power reactors worldwide together with the manufacture of precision stainless steel components for nuclear power plants, including reactor vessel internals, reactor coolant pumps, and control element drive mechanisms. Westinghouse plans to split this business unit into two newly-created organizations: Nuclear Power Plant Project Delivery and Nuclear Power Plant Business Development. The move, it says, will "further strengthen the company and better position it for future growth."
The Nuclear Power Plant Project Delivery organization, to be led by Deva Chari, will focus exclusively on the delivery of new plant projects to Westinghouse customers. Chari will be responsible for "interfacing with Westinghouse customers on a day-to-day basis and ensuring that key project milestones are met safely on schedule, and in a high-quality and cost-effective manner."
Meanwhile, Sandy Rupprecht will lead the Nuclear Power Plant Business Development organization. He will be responsible for the overall development of new approaches to "manage and capture" new plant opportunities worldwide. He will also "ensure coordinated and integrated global new plant offerings," as well as overseeing new plant business development efforts around the world.
Jim Ferland, who assumes the position of Westinghouse president and CEO from Aris Candris on 1 April, said, "These changes will enhance our ability to meet the unique needs of our existing new plant customers and to focus on new approaches in developing new plant opportunities globally." He added, "While both organizations have distinct roles, they will be closely aligned to ensure the overall success of the AP1000 program."
Westinghouse is currently constructing four AP1000 units in China - two each at Sanmen and Haiyang - with the first due to begin operating in 2013. Groundwork for four AP1000s is also underway in the USA, with two each planned at Vogtle in Georgia and VC Summer in South Carolina. First concrete for the Vogtle units is imminent.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
