Nuclear power accounts for just under 20 percent of the world’s electricity. Faced with the growing demand for clean, affordable sources of energy, the nuclear power industry requires safe and cost-effective construction of new plants and ways to extend the life of existing plants. CB&I has a long, proven track record in the supply of components for new plants and performing modifications and repairs quickly, safely and with superior results at operating plants.

Vessels. We’ve provided comprehensive engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction (EPFC) services to the nuclear power industry for more than 50 years. Our first nuclear power project, completed in 1953, was construction of the world’s largest Hortonsphere^® vessel,which was the first nuclear containment vessel. Since then, we have gone on to build 130 containment vessels around the world, including 75 percent of the containment vessels for the nuclear power plants currently operating in the U.S. We are currently contracted for the EPFC of the first four containment vessels ordered in the U.S. since 1979.

In addition to containment vessels CB&I has also built 41 reactor pressure vessels (RPV), including 8 that were field erected. To our knowledge we are the only company to ever field erect a RPV. During this era CB&I also designed and furnished equipment hatches, personnel airlocks, spent fuel pool liners, pipe restraints, biological shield walls and reactor supports.

Repairs and modifications. CB&I is also a leader in modification work to nuclear power plants after they have been put into service. More than 10 million hours have been put in place in operating plants. Among the various scopes of work are modifications to the torus and replacement of recirulating piping on BWR plants, steam generator replacements on PWR plants, and general maintenance at several units. CB&I continues to perform modification work, most notably containment breechings for steam generator replacement projects.

Quality and safety are paramount when it comes to nuclear power projects. We ensure every step of the project is performed according to our high standards. Our resources include a vast global network of highly qualified project managers, engineers, welders and quality assurance managers with the specialized expertise to perform nuclear power plant work, including the paperwork, procedures, and inspections that these projects typically involve. And with locations around the world, we can quickly mobilize the people and equipment needed for any project.

With the renaissance of new nuclear power plants, CB&I is again positioned to be the leader in the EPFC of containment vessels. In addition, with our steel plate expertise we will be prepared to expand our role to include modules required by the next generation of nuclear plants.