Westinghouse opens nuclear engineering center in Indonesia

Westinghouse opens nuclear engineering center in Indonesia

MONROEVILLE, Philadelphia (UPI): Westinghouse Electric Corp. said it will open its first overseas nuclear engineering center in Indonesia that will provide detailed engineering for an advanced nuclear reactor in that country.

Westinghouse will work with Indonesia's state nuclear agency, Batan, in the project.

The Ap600 Engineering Center will be staffed with five Batan (Indonesia's National Atomic Energy Agency) managers and over 25 engineers from various Indonesian organizations. All of the engineers and managers have been trained by Westinghouse.

"Together they are performing piping stress analysis for Westinghouse's Ap600, an advanced light water reactor design which uses natural safety systems and modular construction techniques," the company said here Friday.

The Indonesian engineers will also be working on structure design, modular designs and supports, and analysis for the Ap600.

"Indonesia is proud to be chosen by Westinghouse as the first country in the Pacific Rim to operate a center for advanced nuclear engineering," said Djali Ahimsa, director general of Batan.

"This opportunity will greatly enhance our technology base, and will help us apply our skills toward establishing new energy alternatives for our country."

Indonesia is a major oil producer and a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Howard Bruschi, general manager of Westinghouse advanced technology, said, "We hope to be able to transfer technology that will enable Indonesia to build a world-class industry capable of supplying Ap600 equipment modules for its future nuclear program."