Fluor forms nuclear niche

Fluor Corporation today announced the formation of a dedicated business line within its Power Group to address the next generation nuclear power market.

Fluor has prepared for this emerging market through the combined activities and resources in its Government and Power Groups. The nuclear business line will be headquartered in Fluor's Greenville, South Carolina office.

Fluor has already provided engineering and construction services in the design and construction of 20 nuclear units in the first wave of US nuclear plant construction between 1970 and 1993. Fluor's experience also includes facility management and decommissioning work for the US, UK and Russian governments.

Fluor remained active in the commercial nuclear market, pioneering the first steam generator replacement project, retrofitting spent nuclear fuel pools to increase storage capacity, and executing more than 80 million work hours at 60 US nuclear units in capital work, engineering/technical services and refuelling outage support.

The 2005 US Energy Act ignited interest in the deployment of new nuclear plants in the United States, and more than 30 units are currently waiting for application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for construction and operating licensing.

In addition, many other nations have indicated serious interest in having new nuclear power plants built, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Japan, China, India, Finland, France and others.

Engineering News-Record recently estimated that 20 to 80 new nuclear power plants will be built worldwide in the next 10 years, with capital expenditures estimated to be $35bn to $150bn.