Mitsubishi Wins PBMR Contract

South Africa has awarded Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) two contracts worth $15 million to help build a demonstration advanced nuclear reactor.

The company developing the reactor said in a statement on Tuesday MHI would supply parts for the core barrel assembly, an integral component within the reactor pressure vessel of the new reactor design.

It will also provide professional services for the assembly's design that will form part of the reactor's demonstration plant to be built at Koeberg, South Africa's existing nuclear facility near Cape Town.

South Africa plans to build a multi-billion-rand pebble bed reactor as it scrambles to find new energy sources to meet growing demand for electricity, with demand already almost outstripping supply.

For previous posts on the PBMR, click here and here.

UPDATE: For a great technical explanation of the PBMR, click here.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Politics, Technology, PBMR, South Africa, Electricity, Japan, Mitsubishi

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