UniStar learning from other EPRs now under construction

The two AREVA EPRs currently under construction at the Taishan location in China are on time and on budget

. Hmmm – why is good news never broadcast the way bad news is?

Of the 57 reactors currently under construction, much of the publicity is focused on the one reactor which has experienced the most delays – the first Generation III+ reactor being built in Olkiluoto, Finland. Those that are against more nuclear energy facilities gleefully hold Olkiluoto up as the poster child for time and cost overruns that plagued the prior U.S. nuclear construction era, touting how the past is doomed to be repeated. They fail to mention that there are numerous nuclear facilities around the world being built on time and on budget – including both EPRs currently underway in Taishan, China. And when finished, it will be the largest nuclear energy facility in the country.

UniStar’s partners are involved in all four of the EPRs now under construction in Finland, France and China. And we’re learning. A lot. We know that our design needs to be mostly complete before we stick a shovel in the ground. We know that communication and approvals needs to be carefully coordinated with all parties involved. We know that we have to put out a realistic timeline from the start. UniStar is learning and evaluating information from wherever and whomever we can. We can’t repeat the mistakes from 30 years ago, and we can’t afford not to learn from those who go before us this time around. For the good of the industry, for the good of the country, for the good of the planet.