Fluor, Sargent & Lundy partner for nuclear project

A new partnership developing nuclear power sites could bring new carbon-free energy opportunities to the US and North America.

International construction contractor Fluor Corp. announced an agreement with architect engineering firm Sargent & Lundy involving joint marketing and design services for the execution of new NuScale Power small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

Per the arrangement, Fluor will design the turbine island and balance-of-plant facilities, and Sargent & Lundy will provide the design for the nuclear island. According to NuScale, SMR technology allows for smaller, more economical nuclear sites to be located closer to where electricity is needed while maintaining resiliency.

“This collaboration agreement with one of the most respected companies serving the nuclear power industry brings nearly 150 years of combined experience and further solidifies the opportunity to bring new carbon-free energy to the US and North America,” said Alan Boeckmann, Fluor’s executive chairman.

In July 2019, Sargent & Lundy agreed to provide standard plant design services and architect-engineering support to NuScale, in which Fluor is the majority investor. Earlier this year, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certified NuScale’s SMR technology.

“The opportunity to team with NuScale and Fluor for the design and construction of small modular reactor plants further extends Sargent & Lundy’s history of being at the forefront of nuclear new generation design,” said Thomas R. White, Sargent & Lundy chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO). “We’re excited to support NuScale’s groundbreaking technology – a simplified, scalable, resilient design that is poised to support global demand.”

Beyond already-committed partners and investors such as Sargent & Lundy, Fluor and NuScale are still engaging potential customers, capital investors, manufacturers and other supply chain partners for new SMR development efforts.

The agreement comes weeks after Fluor announced David E. Constable, a member of the Texas-based company’s Board of Directors, would be taking over as CEO for Carlos Hernandez, effective January 2021.