Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Introduction

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (?????????), one of Japan’s largest companies, has had a long-standing interest in supplying nuclear power plants to Indonesia, and is expected to be one of the principal tenderers if the Indonesian government makes a decision to proceed with the construction of a nuclear power station on the Muria peninsula.

MHI is of the most important of the 29 core companies in the Mitsubishi group of inter-linked companies or keiretsu, which together make up one of the world’s largest corporate groups. MHI itself was rated as No. 2 Fortune magazine’s listing of the world’s top industrial equipment manufacturers in 2007. In addition to its nuclear reactor division, MHI is also produces ships, aircraft, trains, missiles, rockets, power equipment, advanced military equipment, and a wide range of other heavy machinery.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries manufactures pressurised water reactors, nuclear fuel, fast breeder reactors, and nuclear fuel cycle components. As of 2006 Mitsubishi had built 23 of Japan’s 55 commercial nuclear power plants, developing a PWR design through three phases. On the basis of this long PWR experience, the company advertises itself as “the only company capable of consistent reactor core design and safety analysis services”.

Although it has not to date exported a nuclear power plant, it has exported a wide range of major components, including the reactor vessel for the Olkiluoto No. 3 plant in Finland in 2007. MHI is currently negotiating contracts for provision of its Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor (APWR) in the US.

In 2007 Mitsubishi announced a joint venture named Atmea with French manufacturer Areva, with the intention of producing a 3-loop1100 Mwe PWR reactor based on proven technologies suitable for sales to developing countries. MHI stated that conceptual design was complete in mid-2007, and featured “substantial reduction in spent fuel and waste volumes”. The synergies between the two companies included reduction in time and cost of construction deriving from avoidance of bottlenecks in production through their combined 12 factories and experience of building more than 120 nuclear power plants.

If MHI were to bid in a tender for a 1,000 MW plant in Indonesia, it would have the option of offering a design based on the new Areva-Mitsubishi Atmea, or the latest version of its PWR design evolved in Japan, such as its Tomari-3 (due for start commercial operations in December 2009. The APWR designed for the US market is considered too big and demanding in its requirements for Indonesia.

MHI has a long-standing and deep involvement in a wide range of industries in Indonesia, including close interest in Indonesia nuclear affairs for more than two decades.

In August 2007 the trading company Mitsubishi Corporation, MHI’s keiretsu partner, acquired an indirect 19.97% holding in the Indonesian energy company PT Medco International, controlled by the Panigoro family, at the same time signing a Strategic Alliance Agreement with Medco. MHI paid US$3.5 for the stake, equivalent to Rp. 4,200 a share, a 33% premium over Medco’s closing price the day before the sale. By December 16, 2008, Medco’s share price had fallen to Rp.1,940.

Analysis

Organization, Nuclear Energy Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Nuclear Energy Systems, Business Presentation Meeting, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, July 23, 2007 [58 min. video].

Nuclear Energy Systems, Business Presentation Meeting, [Document 1], July 23, 2007, Nuclear Energy Systems Headquarters, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. [pdf]

Nuclear power in Japan, World Nuclear Association.

by Richard Tanter — last modified 16-Dec-2008 04:12

Source: Nuclear Energy Systems, Business Presentation Meeting, [Document 1], July 23, 2007, Nuclear Energy Systems Headquarters, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., p.12

Mitsubishi reactors for export

Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007.

[Insert two images]

by Richard Tanter — last modified 15-Dec-2008 04:47

Source: Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007, p. 18.

by Richard Tanter — last modified 15-Dec-2008 04:48

Source: Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007, p.19.
MHI PWR development sequence
Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. http://www.power-technology.com/projects/tomari-3/tomari-32.html
Mitsubishi PWR line-up by Richard Tanter — last modified 16-Dec-2008 04:14
Source: Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007, p.19.
 
Tomari-3 specifications by Richard Tanter — last modified 16-Dec-2008 04:16
Source: Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007, p. 23.
 
Tomari-3 photo by Richard Tanter — last modified 16-Dec-2008 04:17
Source: Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007, p. 12.
 

AP1000

Mitsubishi APWR as Most Promising Candidate for Global Market, Kiyoshi Yamauchi,  Nuclear Energy Systems Headquarters, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, June, 2006.

Mitsubishi Nuclear Power Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., GEN-HSW-7010, March, 2007

AP1000, Wikipedia.

ATMEA

Areva and Mitsubishi create Atmea joint venture, World Nuclear News, 3 September 2007.

Areva of France and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan announced that their newly-created joint venture will be known as Atmea. The joint venture will develop an “advanced Generation-III” nuclear power reactor, the Atmea 1. Areva and Mitsubishi have now said that the Atmea joint venture will develop, market, license and sell an 1100 MWe pressurized water reactor (PWR), which will combine technologies of both companies. The reactor would be marketed at emerging countries wishing to begin nuclear power programs, as well as established markets such as the USA and Europe. A statement said Atmea 1 would “offer operators solid Generation-III safety features.” The partners aim to have the Atmea 1 reactor design ready for licensing application in less than three years.

MHI and AREVA Create ATMEA: New Joint Venture Aimed at Launching Advanced Generation 3 Reactor, MHI-AREVA, 3 September 2007.

Kazuo Tsukuda, President of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), and Anne Lauvergeon, Chief Executive Officer of AREVA, today announced the name of their companies’ newly formed joint venture: ATMEA. ATMEA will develop, market, license and sell ATMEA 1, a new 1,100 MWe reactor combining innovative and proven nuclear technologies of both AREVA and MHI. The ATMEA 1 is to be a pressurized water reactor. It will offer operators solid Gen 3 safety features and optimal return on investment through its very high availability. To address the needs of a fast-growing nuclear market, the partners are jointly working to have the ATMEA 1 reactor ready for licensing application in less than 3 years.

ATMEA: The mid-sized Generation III+ PWR you can rely on, Areva and Mitsubishi

ATMEA: Technical Brochure, Areva and Mitsubishi.

APWR

Mitsubishi APWR as Most Promising Candidate for Global Market, Kiyoshi Yamauchi, Nuclear Energy Systems Headquarters, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., June 2006.

Mitsubishi APWR, Wikipedia

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Indonesia

MHI and MEMR to Hold Nuclear Power Seminar in Indonesia, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd News, February 23, 2006 No.1101.

On February 23rd, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) will jointly hold a seminar – “MEMR-MHI Nuclear Seminar for Public Information Towards the Introduction of First NPP into Indonesia” in Jakarta. The seminar aims to exchange information and opinions extensively mainly about nuclear power plant (NPP) introduction plan in Indonesia and MHI’s latest nuclear power technologies. Participants will include officials from the Indonesian government involved in matters relating to nuclear power generation as well as representatives from an array of NGOs.

Through roughly two decades, MHI, as the only comprehensive manufacturer of pressurized water reactors (PWR) in Japan, had held seminars jointly with Badan Tenaga Nuklir Nasional (BATAN), Indonesia’s national nuclear energy agency, and established close relationship with Indonesia that has been aiming to introduce nuclear power generation. Based on the achievement to date, this year’s seminar will be convened in collaboration with MEMR that is responsible for overall energy policy of the country, including nuclear power generation.

Approximately 150 government officials are slated to attend the seminar, including representatives from both BATAN and Badan Pengawas Tenaga Nuklir (BAPETEN), the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency. Presentations on the state of preparations for introducing nuclear power generation to Indonesia, and on the energy situation and current situation surrounding related regulations will be given by Director of Electricity Program Supervision, Directorate General Electricity and Energy Utilization, MEMR, and officials from BATAN and BAPETEN.

 

Project coordinator: Richard Tanter
Additional research:
Arabella Imhoff
Updated: 16 December 2008