Scana Affiliate Places V.C. Summer Unit 2 Reactor Vessel

Scana Corporation’s (NYSE:SCG) principal subsidiary, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G), has placed the reactor vessel in the containment building of V.C. Summer Unit 2, in collaboration with co-owner, Santee Cooper.

Notably, this is the first reactor vessel to have been set up at a new nuclear plant in the U.S. in over three decades.

The cylindrical reactor vessel will contain fuel to run the reactor as well as other associated components. The strong, protective steel structure is about 35 feet tall and weighs about 305 tons.

Given that the reactor vessel is quite bulky, it was moved from the Port of Charleston to the construction site on a specialty rail car meant to carry heavy loads. A heavy lift derrick with a 560-foot front boom – one of the largest cranes in the world – was used to lift the reactor vessel and place it in its permanent location.

Two 1,117-megawatt Westinghouse AP1000 reactors are being constructed by SCE&G and co-owner Santee Cooper in Fairfield County, SC. The contractor, Westinghouse, has about 3,800 personnel and subcontractor workers on site every day. Fluor is the construction manager. When the two units begin generating electricity, SCE&G estimates more than 60% of its generation to be non-emitting.

Scana’s operations include generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity to retail and wholesale customers in South Carolina. The company also purchases, sells, and transports natural gas to retail customers in South Carolina and southeastern Georgia. In addition, the company offers energy-related risk management services. These apart, it acquires, owns, and provides financing for nuclear fuel, fossil fuel, and emission allowances.

Moreover, the company offers fiber optic communications, Ethernet services, and data center facilities. SCANA also builds, manages, and leases communications towers in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Also, it services contracts on home appliances, and heating and air conditioning units.

Scana currently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other well-ranked players from the energy sector are Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:DVN) , NGL Energy Partners LP (NYSE:NGL) and Enbridge Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE:EEP) . All these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

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