Contractor collaboration for new nuclear power stations

摘要

A common lesson of nuclear power and other projects worldwide is that, to be economic and safe to operate, each new project should be planned and directed by an organisation which has the engineering, financial and managerial capacity and authority to integrate and control the design of the whole project. The utility investing in the project can undertake this role, but few favour doing so because of the cost of attracting and maintaining this expertise. Contractors live by offering resources, but each in its own market -reactor islands or generating plant or civil engineering or services. At present, no one contractor alone has the resources to undertake the planning, direction, conceptual design, detailed engineering, supply, construction, testing and pre-commissioning of a complete power station. The choices for a utility are therefore to act as its own main contractor or to invite a contractor to do so or to invite a set of contractors to work together.