Candu Energy's Enhanced CANDU 6 Reactor Successfully Completes Final CNSC Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Candu Energy's Enhanced CANDU 6® (EC6®) reactor has successfully completed its third and final pre-licensing vendor design review by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). According to the Executive Summary released today, the CNSC Pre-Licensing Vendor Design Review confirmed that there are no fundamental barriers to licensing the EC6® design in Canada.

"The EC6 represents the future of nuclear power generation," said Frank Yee, Candu Energy's Chief Nuclear Engineer. "The EC6 design builds on the proven features of the CANDU 6®, with the addition of the latest safety, industry and technological innovations and advancements. The successful completion of the CNSC's review process marks the next chapter of nuclear power in Canada. The EC6® can provide Canadians with safe, reliable power for generations to come."

The objective of a pre-licensing vendor design review is to verify, at a high level, the acceptability of a nuclear power plant design with respect to Canadian regulatory requirements and expectations. In Phase 3, the focus was on a more detailed review of selected areas of study, including the application of state-of-the-art design and safety analysis methodologies, research and development related to new design and analysis, and lessons learned from events at Fukushima. Through its review, the CNSC has concluded that Candu Energy has taken into account Canadian regulatory requirements and expectations. CANDU® is the only nuclear technology to have successfully completed all phases of pre-licensing review by the CNSC.

"As well as providing confidence in the EC6 design at home, the successful design review opens up opportunities for international CANDU® sales," said Ala Alizadeh, Candu Energy Senior Vice President, Marketing & Business Development. "The CNSC review can serve as the reference for international regulators to accelerate licensing in their countries."

Candu Energy is currently pursuing international new build opportunities in Argentina, Romania, China and the United Kingdom.

The construction of twin EC6 reactors would fuel tremendous economic benefits, delivering more than 20,000 jobs and injecting billions of dollars into the local economy.

The CNSC had previously completed the EC6 Phase 2 Pre-Project Design Review in April 2012.

About the Enhanced CANDU 6
The Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC6) is a 700MW Class Generation III reactor based on the highly successful CANDU 6 reactor with a number of safety enhancements to meet the latest Canadian and international standards. It uses natural uranium fuel, heavy-water moderator and heavy-water coolant in a pressure tube design. It can be refueled on power and has one of the highest lifetime capacity factors among the world's reactors. It is ideal for small and medium electric grids, and benefits from the CANDU 6 experience of proven design, construction and operation.

About Candu
Candu is a leading full-service nuclear technology company providing nuclear power reactors and nuclear products and services to customers worldwide. Our 1,400 highly skilled employees design and deliver state-of-the-art CANDU® reactors, carry out life extension projects, provide plant life management programs and tools, and offer operation and maintenance services for existing nuclear power stations.

CANDU reactors supply approximately 50% of Ontario's electricity and 16% of Canada's overall electricity requirements. Internationally, they are an important component of clean air energy programs on four continents with over 22,000 megawatts of installed capacity. Candu Energy Inc. develops products to deliver safe, reliable, affordable and CO₂-free energy with a view to the future, while meeting the global nuclear industry's highest safety and regulatory standards.

Candu is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC-Lavalin Inc. (TSX: SNC).

SOURCE: Candu Energy Inc.