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Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Thomas, Paul D. </O=ENRON/OU=NA/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=PTHOMAS2< X-To: 'service@businesswire.com' X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \ExMerge - Thomas, Paul D.\Sent Items X-Origin: THOMAS-P X-FileName: paul d thomas 6-26-02.PST unsubscribe TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES -----Original Message----- From: eMailDelivery@businesswire.com@ENRON On Behalf Of emaildelivery@businesswire.com Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 4:03 AM To: TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES@businesswire.com Subject: Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Design Pushes Renewed Interest in Worldwide Nuclear Power Generation, in an Advisory by Industrialinfo.com Welcome to eMail News Delivery, a service from Business Wire. Here is your Industrial Information Resources Inc. news release. If you have received this in error please send a message to: eMailDelivery@businesswire.com with the following command in the body of the message: unsubscribe TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES If you have questions about this service, please contact your Business Wire Account Executive or service@businesswire.com BW2007 JAN 30,2002 2:01 PACIFIC 05:01 EASTERN ( BW)(TX-INDUSTRIAL-INFO-RES) Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Design Pushes Renewed Interest in Worldwide Nuclear Power Generation, in an Advisory by Industrialinfo.com Business/Energy Editors HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 2002--The following is an advisory by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Inc; Houston): The rehabilitation of nuclear power generation plants, which could represent part of the answer to world's power generation needs over the next 30 years, has taken a few steps forward in the consciousness of governments and industry in the past six months. However, nuclear power still has a way to go among environmental groups and those involved with post-Chernobyl public health concerns. The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) from Eskom in South Africa continues to claim the attention of both the large power hungry regions and the capital conscious development areas to which the modular and smaller output plant could be both affordable and appropriate. Stakeholders in the project include the U.S. company Exelon with 12.5%, Eskom with 30%, British Nuclear Fuels with 22.5%, Industrial Development Corporation of SA with 25%, and Black empowerment at 10%. Currently, Exelon is negotiating for the possible purchase of 40 PBMRs at a price of around $6 billion (USD). Early in 2001 the company requested the U.S. National Regulatory Commission to start laying the groundwork for PBMR licensing. Exelon would like to see the $300 million demonstration unit, which is planned by Eskom in South Africa as a proven model, to show that all technical matters have been resolved and that safety, efficiency and viability are proven enough for U.S. regulatory agencies to proceed forward with licensing. The plant is to be built alongside the existing nuclear power station at Koeberg in the Cape Province of South Africa with work commencing in 2003. If approved, Exelon may then start concurrent construction of U.S. sites to bring PBMR-generated power to market at the earliest possible date and at the best price. Specifications and claims by Eskom, who purchased the technology after a 21-year development and proving period in Germany, present the PBMR as small, safe, clean, cost efficient, inexpensive and adaptable. The PBMR uses multiple coated uranium particles encased in graphite to form a fuel sphere (60mm in diameter). The PBMR design makes use of helium as the coolant and energy transfer medium to a closed cycle gas turbine and generator. The design differences between the PBMR and Pressurized Water Reactors result in the PBMR being a safe and economical power plant. The annual world market for power generation is estimated at $70 billion. The PBMR, if it comes through its regulatory trials, would be in a position to capture a tasty slice of this power action. With 10% of the shareholding in the PBMR project reserved for new black empowerment shareholders, 10 plant export orders a year could contribute nearly $1 billion a year to South Africa's Gross Domestic Product and another $1 billion in export income. An estimated 57,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created. These figures would double and triple for 20 or 30 orders annually. If the demo plant achieves its targets, Eskom will place an order for 10 modules, with the Exelon order hopefully kicking in immediately for a possible date for the first U.S. plant in 2007. Eskom will sell PBMR's as a manufactured item with no rights given. Eighty percent of the costs will be made up of the manufactured reactor and 20% site construction related. The aim is for 40% of the sourcing to come from South Africa. Taxpayers money (approximately $50 million so far) is being spent by the South African authorities in giving all due diligence to the studies and to public feedback on the project before the "go" decision is given. With this right and proper concern and the considerable market presence of Eskom and Exelon the 130MW modules will no doubt play a crucial role in the future of nuclear power generation. The project managers are indicating growing confidence in their ability to bring the product to market and have recently made a significant move. A contract has been placed (in mid-January 2002) with the U.S. company Stone & Webster and South African construction company Murray & Roberts and black empowerment contractor Proman Management Services to provide consulting services to the PBMR project in engineering, procurement, construction management and project management. Following this development, the PBMR management at Eskom have gone on record to state that with the multi-national and multi-disciplinary support now providing leverage, the approval hurdles for the pilot project should be cleared by the end of 2002 given the crucial general diligence and environmental clearance by the government. Industrailinfo.com provides daily news related to the industrial market place including industry alerts and databases for the energy and industrial markets. For more information on trends and upcoming construction activities for the Energy and Power markets as well as other industrial sectors send inquiries to powergroup@industrialinfo.com or visit us at www.industrialinfo.com or www.iirenergy.com. --30--MJB/ho* CONTACT: Industrial Information Resources, Houston Britt Burt, 713/783-5147 KEYWORD: TEXAS SOUTH AFRICA GERMANY INTERNATIONAL EUROPE AFRICA/MIDDLE EAST INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION ENERGY OIL/GAS UTILITIES SOURCE: Industrial Information Resources For the best viewing of the news releases please use the following email settings: Courier 10 point. -Notice of Copyright and General Disclaimer- © 2000 Business Wire. All of the releases provided by Business Wire are protected by copyright and other applicable laws, treaties and conventions. Information contained in the releases is furnished by Business Wire`s members who are solely responsible for their content, accuracy and originality. All reproduction, other than for an individual user`s reference, is prohibited without prior written permission. - Notice of Copyright and General Disclaimer -- © 1999 Business Wire. All of the releases provided by Business Wire are protected by copyright and other applicable laws, treaties and conventions. Information contained in the releases is furnished by Business Wire`s members who are solely responsible for their content, accuracy and originality. All reproduction, other than for an individual user`s reference, is prohibited without prior written permission. - Notice of Copyright and General Disclaimer -- © 1999 Business Wire. All of the releases provided by Business Wire are protected by copyright and other applicable laws, treaties and conventions. Information contained in the releases is furnished by Business Wire`s members who are solely responsible for their content, accuracy and originality. All reproduction, other than for an individual user`s reference, is prohibited without prior written permission.
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