The world's major suppliers of civilian nuclear power plants have agreed to apply a common set of principles in their exporting decisions and practices

Washington, D.C., USA - September 15, 2011

The world’s leading civilian nuclear power plant vendors today announced a common set of principles that reflects global best practices in connection with the export of nuclear power plants, including to those countries with an emerging interest in developing civilian nuclear energy.

Carnegie Endowment The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. Founded in 1910, its work is nonpartisan and dedicated to achieving practical results. The Carnegie Nuclear Policy Program is an internationally acclaimed source of expertise and policy thinking on nuclear industry, nonproliferation, security, and disarmament. Its multinational staff stays at the forefront of nuclear policy issues in the United States, Russia, China, Northeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.

The unprecedented “Principles of Conduct” reflect the participating companies’ commitment to their customers and all those who stand to benefit from nuclear power to assemble and share best practices that reinforce and enhance existing codes, standards and regulations.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world’s leading heavy machinery manufacturers, with consolidated sales of 2,940.8 billion yen in fiscal year 2009 ended March 31, 2010. MHI’s diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants, environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery, aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems.

They articulate concisely the nuclear power plant industry’s shared high standards in the areas of safety, security, environmental protection and spent fuel management, compensation in the unlikely event of nuclear-related damage, nonproliferation and ethics.

No such voluntary, comprehensive, export-oriented code of conduct has previously existed in the nuclear industry.

ATMEA ATMEA company, a joint venture created by AREVA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. started its operation in November 2007 and its scope of business is to develop, market, license, sell and build the ATMEA1 Nuclear Island. ATMEA1 is a 1,100 MWe pressurized water reactor (PWR) responding to market requirements for a mid-sized Generation III+ PWR, by combining innovative, reliable, and proven nuclear technologies from AREVA and MHI. This includes top level safety and security systems, a high thermal efficiency, and a flexible nuclear operation cycle exhibiting less fuel costs and generating less waste, and less impact on the environment. The company is headquartered in Paris, La Defense, France.

Facilitated by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the voluntary Principles of Conduct were crafted over the past three years by representatives from all the major exporters of nuclear power plants.

Atomstroyexport JSC Atomstroyexport (JSC ASE) is the leading engineering company of the Rosatom State Corporation for the construction of nuclear power engineering facilities abroad. At present Atomstroyexport is acting as a contractor realizing simultaneously contracts for the construction (turnkey ones included) of five nuclear power units abroad and apart from that the only enterprise in the field already possessing new generation reference NPP unit (Tianwan NPP in China.) JSC ASE is bearing on the semicentenary experience of the Russian nuclear branch, modern management and innovation processes, which enable the company to realize equally large scale and unique projects it is entrusted with within the scope of bilateral intergovernmental agreements and also as a result of success in open international tenders.

They have been adopted by nine companies based in Canada, France, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States.

The Principles take effect immediately.

Jessica Tuchman Mathews, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Courtesy of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

“This initiative is unique in the history of the nuclear industry, helping to enhance confidence in the commercial nuclear power plant sector,” said Jessica T. Mathews, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
“While recognizing the preeminent regulatory role of governments, these companies are reaffirming their own vigilance as responsible stewards of nuclear technology.”

AREVA AREVA supplies solutions for low carbon power generation. Its expertise and know-how in this field are setting the standard, and its responsible development is anchored in a process of continuous improvement. As the global nuclear industry leader, AREVA’s unique integrated offer to utilities covers every stage of the fuel cycle, nuclear reactor design and construction, and related services. The group is also expanding considerably in renewable energies – wind, solar, bioenergies, hydrogen and storage – to be one of the top three in this sector worldwide in 2012. Every day, AREVA’s 48,000 employees cultivate the synergies between these two major carbon-free offers, helping to supply safer, cleaner and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.

The Principles reiterate the companies’ independent commitments to conducting business in an ethical, transparent manner.

The Principles incorporate the requirements of international treaties, reflecting and conforming entirely with the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. was established on July 1st 2007 by integrating nuclear management resources of Hitachi, Ltd. and General Electric Co. Hitachi, Ltd. started its nuclear businesses back in 1950s. Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. inherits the resource of know-how and experience accumulated over this period, and create new knowledge for nuclear business globalization. We establish a strong basis to create synergies with the supporting companies in the U.S. and Canada for the common goal of contributing to the society by delivering high quality services in all phases of nuclear power business: R&D, design, manufacturing, construction, pre-operation, operation and system maintenance of light-water reactors, fast reactors and nuclear fuel cycle systems.

While development of the Principles began years in advance of the Fukushima nuclear accident, the completed text also reflects initial lessons learned from the accident.

Sir Richard Giordano, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Endowment. Courtesy of BG Group plc

“Nuclear power plant technology is important to meeting global energy requirements in a sustainable manner,” said Sir Richard Giordano, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Endowment.
“Whatever lessons particular countries draw from Fukushima over time, new nuclear plants will continue to be built, some in countries that have only recently begun to utilize nuclear power. It is therefore imperative that nuclear energy is implemented safely and responsibly in both emerging and developed markets. The Principles are designed to promote free and fair competition for nuclear power plant exports while helping to ensure that the highest standards of safety are maintained.”

KEPCO Korea is home to the world’s 6th largest fleet of nuclear reactors with 21 in operation as of today. As Korea’s national power company, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is fully committed to delivering high value-added and safe energy solutions both domestically and overseas. KEPCO possesses competitive advantages in the development, construction and operation of plants representing the entire power spectrum including nuclear and continues efforts to develop and refine its own advanced technologies. The backing of the Korean government, as well as the One KEPCO nuclear solution consisting of KEPCO as primary contractor and our subsidiaries and private sector partners in construction and manufacturing are the keys to KEPCO’s overall strengths. With its state-of-the-art Gen Ⅲ APR1400 reactors and having an established yet ever-growing presence in key markets around the world, KEPCO is actively seeking diverse and mutually beneficial growth opportunities to ensure a brighter and safer future as a reliable and stable power supplier.

As a voluntary initiative, the Principles are not legally binding, but each company has independently undertaken to implement the Principles in the course of its business activities.

Each company intends to demonstrate its commitment to the public in both word and deed.

Westinghouse Electric Company Westinghouse Electric Company provides fuel, services, technology, plant design, and equipment to utility and industrial customers in the worldwide commercial nuclear electric power industry. Today, well over 40 percent of the world’s operating commercial nuclear plants were provided by either Westinghouse or its licensees, giving Westinghouse the world’s largest installed base of operating plants. The company is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.

The companies recognize that their own long-term interests align with the interests of their customer states in promoting the high export standards in the Principles.

The Carnegie Endowment convened a panel of world-class experts in October 2008 to help guide the drafting of each of the six principles.

Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems, Inc. (MNES), headquartered in Arlington, VA, was established by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), as its wholly-owned subsidiary in July 2006 to introduce the US-APWR to U.S. utilities. MNES will contribute to nuclear power generation with state of the art engineering and technologies in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. which leads the world as “A comprehensive nuclear energy company.” At MNES, we supply safe and secure nuclear energy systems for utility customers by leveraging well- established and experienced engineering, manufacturing, and technical support capabilities that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has maintained and strengthened over the years.

Over the past three years, those experts and senior executives from the companies dedicated a significant amount of time and attention to this initiative.

In keeping with the companies’ desire to promote the broad public interest, legal counsel monitored all discussions to ensure that competitively sensitive information was neither exchanged nor discussed.

Toshiba Toshiba is a world leader and innovator in pioneering high technology, a diversified manufacturer and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning digital consumer products; electronic devices and components; power systems, including nuclear energy; industrial and social infrastructure systems; and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 730 companies, with 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.2 trillion yen (US$75 billion).

Today’s announcement marks the beginning of an ongoing process to inform key stakeholders, including the companies’ employees, about the Principles.

The companies welcome the cooperation of their customers, suppliers and other participants in the civilian nuclear power industry in applying the Principles.

AECL Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a full-service nuclear technology company, providing services to nuclear utilities around the world. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology including the CANDU 6, one of the world’s top-performing reactors. AECL’s 5,000 employees deliver cutting edge nuclear services, R&D support, design and engineering, construction management, specialized technology, refurbishment, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products.

The participating companies and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace have briefed and consulted with a number of governments and institutions on the Principles, who have responded favorably.

The companies will meet periodically to review progress in applying the Principles and to update the Principles to reflect changing circumstances and international standards in the nuclear power plant industry.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.

The following companies have adopted the Principles of Conduct:

• AREVA

• ATMEA (an AREVA-Mitsubishi joint venture)

• Atomstroyexport

• Candu Energy (the successor exporting company to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited)

• GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

• Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy

• Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO)

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (including Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems, a subsidiary)

• Toshiba

• Westinghouse Electric Company

More information about the Nuclear Power Plant Exporters’ Principles of Conduct is available at

www.nuclearprinciples.org  


Media Contacts

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Karly SCHLEDWITZ
kschledwitz@ceip.org  
+1 202 939 2233

Principles of Conduct
Jessica SCHULTZ
Jessica.Schultz@harbourgrp.com  
+1 202. 295.8776

AREVA
Laurence PERNOT
laurence.pernot@areva.com  
+1-301-841-1694

Atomic Energy of Canada, Limited (AECL)
George BOTHWELL
bothwellg@aecl.ca  
+ 1- 905-301-7127

Atomstroyexport JSE
Elena MIRYUSCHENKO
e.miryuschenko@atomstroyexport.ru  
+7-495-737-9033

ATMEA
Laurence PERNOT
laurence.pernot@areva.com  
+1-301-841-1694

Candu Energy
George BOTHWELL
bothwellg@aecl.ca  
+1-905-301-7127

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Michael TETUAN
michael.tetuan@ge.com  
+1-910-819-7055

Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy
Kumi SANO
kumi.sano.wa@hitachi.com  
+81-3-4564-4812

Korea Electric Power Company
Sang-ho, BAK
bak35@kepco.co.kr  
+82-2-3456-6426

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Hideo IKUNO
h.ikuno@daiya-pr.co.jp  
+81-3-6716-5277

Toshiba
Keisuke OOMORI
keisuke.oomori@toshiba.co.jp  
+81-3-3457-2105

Westinghouse
Sarah J. BARCZYK
barczysj@westinghouse.com  
+1-412-374-3705


Source: Principles of Conduct

http://nuclearprinciples.org/  



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