Chinese companies among contestants for SA's nuclear programme
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A symbol of the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC). [File photo: baidu.com]

Three Chinese firms have been listed among the international contenders for the building of South Africa's nuclear programme after they responded to [South African] power utility Eskom's request for information (RFI) in December last year.

State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC), Shandong Taikai Power Engineering (known as TKPE) and the Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCoC) are among the 11 international corporations that heeded Eskom's call requesting information.

The rest of the contenders, 27 in total, are South African companies, meaning there are 38 companies bidding for the Eskom contract. The list contains 11 companies more than Eskom had first announced.

The Chinese bidders will be competing against companies from France, South Korea, Russia, the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Spain and India.

Only one of the Chinese contenders, SNPTC, is vying for a spot as the main nuclear reactor vendor.

According to Bloomberg, SNPTC provides general contracting services for nuclear power plants in China and internationally. The company is primarily involved in research and development areas related to third-generation nuclear power technology, helping Chinese enterprises share that technology, building projects, providing technical support, and offering consulting services.

Shandong Taikai Power Engineering (TKPE) has exported high-voltage power transmission and transformer equipment to over 60 countries and regions around the world and has a strong capability in turn-key contracts. In Africa, it boasts completed projects in Zimbabwe, Gabon, Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda.

"As a rising star in the field of international engineering construction, TKPE will keep adhering to the enterprise spirit of 'honest, trustworthy, pragmatic and innovative'," it states on its website.

Bloomberg states that (PCCoC) is involved in engineering, procurement, and construction services for the development of hydropower, water works, thermal power, new energy, and transmission and distribution projects in China and internationally.

The company engages in the planning, investigation, design and consulting, construction, operation, and maintenance of hydro, thermal, new energy, and transmission and distribution projects; and investigation, planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure projects, such as highways, railways, urban rail transits, airport terminals and runways, water utilities, and civil buildings.

Should any of the Chinese entities win the bid, they will be expected to construct buildings and transmission lines, build roads and install technology systems.

South Africa has two nuclear reactors generating 5 percent of the country's electricity. The first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1984 and, thus far, the government's commitment to the future of nuclear energy is strong, with firm plans for a further 1 300 MWe in the face of significant financial constraints and opposition from some quarters.

The South African government announced early in 2006 that it was considering building a further conventional nuclear plant, possibly at Koeberg, to boost supplies in Cape Province.

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan