Spain Standardizes on Holtec’s Multi-Purpose Canister (MPC) Technology for On-Site Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel

We are pleased to announce Holtec’s flagship HI-STORM MPC spent fuel storage technology was selected for a fleet of six reactors at four sites in Spain. This critical procurement was led by Spain’s national company, Enresa and conducted under the European Union procurement rules. Holtec’s bid was joined by Equipos Nucleares S.A., S.M.E. (ENSA), in Maliaño (Cantabria), a respected manufacturer of equipment for the Spanish nuclear fleet, as a consortium partner.

In a publicly available published report, Enresa cited several compelling reasons for their selection of the HI-STORM technology; among them: an extreme resistance to severe earthquakes, radiation blockage capability, the ability to store high heat-emitting fuel in high-capacity canisters and the ability to handle the whole range of fuel and high-level waste types needed by the plants. Indeed, Enresa’s selection criteria were so stringent that only Team Holtec’s offer mustered qualification.

The scope of work envisaged by this award includes support for the licensing process in Spain, the design of the on-site storage facilities at the four nuclear sites, design, manufacturing and supply of the HI-STORM family of storage and transport systems, and all associated handling and processing ancillaries for the four sites. By employing the HI-STORM FW and HI-STAR 190 transport systems across the four sites, Enresa is expected to reduce their costs for used fuel and waste management across the board, and provide greater certainty to the plant operations.

“We celebrate this award as another confirmation that our focus on safety, innovation and customer satisfaction is the right formula for success. Holtec’s HI-STORM technology paired with ENSA’s local manufacturing capacity simply offered the best value to the client,” says Holtec’s Senior Vice President of International Projects, Dr. Rick Springman.

Holtec’s HI-STORM models are currently being deployed internationally at Angra in Brazil, Krsko in Slovenia, Sizewell B in the U.K. and Laguna Verde in Mexico, and at various U.S. nuclear power plants.

The award includes the supply of Holtec’s HI-STAR 190 transport cask, which is the industry’s most heavily shielded cask capable of transporting every canister type currently in use at LWR nuclear plants with minimal dose. HI-STAR 190 has a high heat-load capacity, enabling the fuel to be readily transported offsite shortly after loading. HI-STAR 190 is available in three lengths. It can be used to transport PWR, BWR, and VVER fuel. It is designed to serve as the work horse for Holtec’s HI-STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility in New Mexico and its counterpart – the Central Spent Fuel Storage Facility in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine, and now will serve in the same role for the Spanish nuclear reactor sites mentioned above.

Commenting on this award, Rafael Marin, Program Manager for Holtec Europe based in Madrid, Spain said, “I am humbled by this historic award to Holtec International by our country’s national nuclear waste management company, which validates Holtec’s two decades of service to my country’s nuclear industry. It will undoubtedly enable us to build on the legacy of our success in Spain. I should note that Holtec’s storage and transportation systems for spent nuclear fuel have proven themselves in our country since the early 2000s at Jose Cabrera, Ascó and Cofrentes nuclear power plants.”