GE Steam Power is to continue providing full maintenance services on two turbine islands at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant in Romania under a newly announced USD120 million multi-year agreement with Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica (SNN). Meanwhile, work has begun at GE's Belfort site to manufacture the first Arabelle steam turbine for Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

Manufacturing of the first Arabelle turbine is under way (Image: GE)

GE Steam Power is supplying the four nuclear turbine generator sets for Turkey's first nuclear power plant under a contract awarded to AAEM Turbine technology LLC (AAEM) in 2007. These include the Arabelle half-speed steam turbine, Gigatop 4-poles generator and condenser vacuum pumps. GE will also provide full design for its scope of supply, and basic design for AAEM's scope.

AAEM is a joint venture of Atomenergomash JSC, a mechanical engineering division of the Rosatom State Corporation of Russia, and General Electric. It was established in 2007 to offer comprehensive solutions for the conventional island of VVER plants.

Manufacturing of the steam turbine's rotor has begun at GE's centre of excellence in Belfort, France, and represents a key milestone for the Akkuyu project, the company said.

Construction began in 2018 of the first of four VVER 1200 units planned for Akkuyu, under a "build-own-operate" model whereby Russia provides the financing, operation and management of the plant. Atomstroyexport is general contractor for construction. Akkuyu 1 is scheduled to enter service in 2023, with the other three units following by 2025.

Cernavoda contract

The agreement between GE Steam Power and SNN - also known as Nuclearelectrcia - will cover maintenance and services on the Romanian plant's two steam turbines and generators until 2027. Work on the turbine islands begins later this year, when GE will perform a planned maintenance outage on the turbine generator of Cernavoda after 12 years of service.

GE’s local team has supported Romania's only nuclear power plant for 33 years, the company said, including providing all maintenance services since 2004.

Cernavoda's two Candu 6 pressurised heavy water reactors provide about 15-20% of Romania's electricity. Cernavoda 1 began commercial operation in 1996, and unit 2 in 2007. Both units have a net capacity of 750 MWe.