Westinghouse exec sees growing nuclear role in Mexico

Westinghouse Electric Co. of Latin America Vice President Carlos Leipner said Tuesday that nuclear energy would likely play a large role in the future of electricity generation in Mexico.
   
Leipner said nuclear energy is an ideal fit for the country's need for a reliable source of energy that has little or no carbon emissions during the XXVI annual Congress of the Nuclear Society of Mexico.
   
“Mexico’s growing population and energy consumption point to the need for developing new power generation sources, as detailed in the country’s National Energy Strategy," Leipner said. "Nuclear energy is well positioned to meet the need.”
  
Both Westinghouse and its majority owner, Toshiba Corp., have worked with authorities in Mexico on numerous projects. Westinhhouse projects include work at the Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Station. Westinghouse said it has also provided maintenance and other support services to ensure reliability of the power plant. Currently, Westinghouse provides continuous technical support for Units 1 and 2 at the Laguna Verde plant.

“Westinghouse, along with Toshiba, looks forward to continuing its support of Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Station,” Westinghouse Vice President, Boiling Water Reactor Operating Plant Services, Todd Conner said. “We are demonstrating Westinghouse’s technical capabilities as we install additional modifications to further improve steam dryer performance for Unit 1. Unit 2 modifications have been completed and the unit is operating at extended power uprate conditions.”

The Mexican government has said its goal is to increase the role of clean power in the country by up to 35 percent.