The American nuclear energy company Westinghouse Electric Company has commissioned the Plzeň-based engineering firm Škoda JS to produce test samples of internal reactor components for the AP1000 reactor, as well as a pressure vessel head. The move is intended to verify the manufacturing capabilities of the Czech firm, which is part of the ČEZ Group. Škoda JS will work on the contract for approximately two years. [...]

Škoda JS and the American company began negotiating the contract after the Plzeň-based firm obtained American ASME certification this spring—one of the most rigorous standards in the nuclear industry. The company was the first manufacturer from Central and Eastern Europe to receive this certification. According to Karel Bednář, CEO of Škoda JS, obtaining this certification—a prerequisite for manufacturing primary components for nuclear power plants—was a forward-looking move. [...]
The contract from Westinghouse covers major components of the primary circuit in nuclear power plants—a key focus area for Škoda JS. The company also successfully supplies reactor internals for other projects. According to Samec, in preparing to manufacture parts for Westinghouse, the engineering firm must master all the technological processes and procedures required by the client in accordance with ASME standards.  [...]

In addition to the project with Westinghouse, Škoda JS—partly thanks to its ASME certification—has recently joined the international supply chain of the British company Rolls-Royce SMR. This increases its chances of success regarding potential supplies for the new nuclear unit at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant in the Třebíč region, added a spokesperson for the Plzeň-based engineering firm.

Last year, Škoda JS recorded an EBITDA (operating profit) of 115 million CZK on revenues of 3.6 billion CZK.

Source: Hospodářské noviny