Westinghouse Electric Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nuclebras Equipamentos Pesados S.A. (NUCLEP) to collaborate on the fabrication of AP1000™ nuclear power plant components and equipment in Brazil. The MOU focuses on developing local technical capabilities. The Memorandum was signed this week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Jaime Wallwitz Cardoso (RIGHT), president, Nuclebras Equipamentos Pesados S.A. (NUCLEP) joins Graham ...

Jaime Wallwitz Cardoso (RIGHT), president, Nuclebras Equipamentos Pesados S.A. (NUCLEP) joins Graham Cable (LEFT), vice president, Westinghouse Electric Company to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that would further strengthen Brazil’s energy sector. (Photo: Business Wire)

“As part of our commitment to localization, Westinghouse looks forward to working with NUCLEP and other partners to further strengthen the technical capabilities and infrastructures of Brazil’s energy sector,” said Carlos Leipner, Westinghouse vice president for Latin America.

Westinghouse, and its majority owner Toshiba Corporation, have a long history of supporting Brazil’s energy infrastructure, including Westinghouse construction of the Angra 1 nuclear power plant. Today, Westinghouse activities include technical support to Eletronuclear's fleet and a strong partnership with Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) on fuel and manufacturing technologies. Westinghouse also sees opportunities to support the region’s energy needs through the development of the Westinghouse AP1000 plant.

According to the company, the signing of this important MOU further advances Westinghouse’s expanding role in the global nuclear energy market. The construction of AP1000 nuclear power plants in Brazil would create thousands of high-paying jobs in the country, expand the industrial capabilities and support the next generation of nuclear professionals who will deploy safe, clean and economical nuclear energy.

“Brazil already has an established nuclear supplier base and NUCLEP has played a key role in providing quality components and equipment to the nuclear sector in Latin America. Our relationship with Westinghouse is strong and this initiative will strengthen and expand our nuclear manufacturing capabilities,” said Jaime Cardoso, NUCLEP’s President.

Recent statements by the Brazilian government have reinforced its desire to expand nuclear generation in Brazil with several new nuclear projects by 2050. Westinghouse and NUCLEP look forward to the opportunity to collaborate in these projects in the future.

Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502), is the world's pioneering nuclear energy company and is a leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities throughout the world. Westinghouse supplied the world's first pressurized water reactor in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa., U.S. Today, Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants, including more than 50 percent of those in Europe. AP1000 is a trademark of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC. All rights reserved.

Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados S/A, a State-owned company, was created by the Decree 76.805, of December 16th, 1975, in Brazil to focus on the nuclear heavy equipment manufacturing in Brazil. In 40 years, NUCLEP has manufactured components for Angra 1, 2 and 3 as well as expanded its capabilities to also support the Oil & Gas industry and other industrial sectors.