Westinghouse Electric Company UK Ltd today begins the Government consultation process on the nominated sites for new nuclear power stations as an important stage in moving towards real projects beginning in the UK.
– By Abby Gessner –
BBC Radio 4 Today Program this morning spoke with Chairman of Westinghouse in the UK, David Bonser who stated: “I am in no doubt that nuclear power is a very important part of dealing with global warming and reducing CO2 emissions. I think nuclear power has a very important role to play both here in the UK and worldwide. The aim is to have the first nuclear power plant producing electricity on the grid by the end of 2017 or early 2018.”
David went on to say: “Westinghouse, the UK Government and the utilities are fully committed to nuclear new build in the UK. This is good news for the environment, good news for those that recognise the importance of secure, low-carbon base-load electricity and good news for UK businesses looking to play their part in an exciting long term sector that is about to enjoy significant growth here and overseas.”
Westinghouse is continuing to work in concert with a number of utility companies to take the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor through the UK’s Generic Design Assessment process. Through our “Buy Where We Build” procurement strategy, we are actively involved in engaging with the UK supply chain and the Unions. For instance, we are the exclusive reactor vendor to sign agreements with major UK supply chain partners (BAE Systems, Doosan Babcock and Rolls-Royce) to work to bring the AP1000 reactor to the UK market. This strategy coupled with the modular nature of the AP1000 means that our reactor offers real immediate and long-term commercial opportunities to British businesses and British workers.
Westinghouse continues to be at the forefront of the global nuclear renaissance with four AP1000TM reactors being constructed in China and orders for six plants in the USA. Around the globe today around half of the operating nuclear power stations are based on Westinghouse technology.