The $360 million facility will manufacture heavy components, such as reactor vessels, pressurizers and steam generators
- By Stephen Heiser -
AREVA and CH2M HILL have announced a new contract in which CH2M HILL will provide engineering, procurement and construction management services for the AREVA Newport News heavy component manufacturing facility in Newport News, Virginia.
The $360 million facility will manufacture heavy components, such as reactor vessels, pressurizers and steam generators, for future AREVA U.S. EPR plants in the United States and other EPR projects around the world. The 330,000 square-foot facility is expected to be operational in January 2012.
“There are several reasons why CH2M HILL gets really excited about a project like this,” said Bob Card, President of CH2M HILL’s Facilities & Infrastructure division. “One reason is that this kind of project lets us apply our expertise in integrated design and construction for large, challenging projects. This project is also in alignment with our strong corporate commitment to promoting more environmentally responsible ways of producing and using energy. An added bonus is that the project is coming along at a time when the economic stimulus it provides will be much appreciated through the region.”
Operations at the AREVA Newport News facility will create more than 500 skilled manufacturing and salaried jobs for the Commonwealth of Virginia, contributing to the region’s economic well-being. Ground breaking for the facility was held in July and construction is underway.
“The construction of the AREVA Newport News manufacturing facility is evidence of the U.S. nuclear resurgence and AREVA’s leading role in increasing the generation of safe, clean, affordable electricity for America,” said AREVA NP Inc. President and CEO Mike Rencheck. “We are collaborating with partners, such as CH2M HILL, that are aligned with our commitment to sustainable solutions for increased energy supply. As we expand the infrastructure to support the nuclear resurgence and begin to build new plants, we will create thousands of jobs for Americans."
AREVA’s joint venture partner In AREVA Newport News, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding contributes its substantial experience in heavy manufacturing, its skilled labor force and presence at the site for more than 100 years to this important partnership.