Horizon Nuclear Power, The Japan Atomic Power Company and Hitachi Sign Co-operation deal on Nuclear New Build Project
Horizon Nuclear Power Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., The Japan Atomic Power Company and Hitachi today announced they have signed a deal for the provision of technical support services on the proposed Wylfa Newydd Power Station in North Wales.
A pioneer of nuclear power generation, JAPC will work with Horizon as it grows its own operational capability in readiness to run Wylfa Newydd. Under the deal Horizon will draw on JAPC’s experience and know-how gained from many years of involvement with boiling water reactors, covering their design, construction, operation and maintenance. JAPC oversaw the construction of Japan’s first light water reactor and will now support Horizon in areas such as construction costing, licensing, and planning for commissioning.
The news follows last month’s announcement of contracts signed with the newly formed consortium Menter Newydd to prepare for the construction phase of the power station. Menter Newydd comprises Bechtel, JGC and Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe.
Duncan Hawthorne, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon, said: “We are building a world class operational workforce and capability at Horizon and will draw on a number of the best in class companies from around the world to complement our extensive UK experience and regulatory relationships. JAPC has highly professional people who’ve had direct access to BWR*1 technology and I am delighted we will benefit from such a wealth of experience, lessons learned and insight. It’s another strong sign of the progress we’re making.”
Mamoru Muramatsu, President, The Japan Atomic Power Company, said: “We are delighted to be able to cooperate in the project for the new nuclear power station at Wylfa Newydd. Our company’s Tokai Nuclear Power Station, which was Japan’s first commercial nuclear power station, was introduced from the UK. Taking advantage of the many years of operating experience, and the know-how gained from that experience, beginning with the Tokai Nuclear Power Station, and including the Tokai No. 2 Nuclear Power Station (BWR) and Tsuruga Nuclear Power Station No. 1 and No. 2 (No. 1: a BWR, No. 2: PWR*2), we will help to ensure that Wylfa Newydd is built successfully.
Katsumi Nagasawa, Vice President and Executive Officer, CEO of Nuclear Power Business Unit, Hitachi, Ltd., said: “Hitachi will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its objective of using safe and highly reliable sources of electric power to achieve a low-carbon society by supplying the latest ABWR*1 design, which has already been proven in operation. We believe that signing this contract with JAPC for technical support services will significantly advance the construction of the new nuclear power station at Wylfa Newydd.”
As a pioneer of nuclear power generation, JAPC has been at the forefront of its field since it was formed as a dedicated nuclear power company in November 1957. JAPC’s activities include the construction and operation of nuclear power plants in Japan, including construction of Japan’s first commercial nuclear power plant, and also plant decommissioning. Its overseas operations include providing technical assistance and training to prepare for the introduction of nuclear power in a variety of nations, including Vietnam and Kazakhstan, both of which are planning to build nuclear power plants.
Horizon has an ongoing programme of activity to build its operational expertise alongside the preparations for construction of Wylfa Newydd. Duncan Hawthorne previously ran one of the biggest nuclear power stations in the world as CEO of Bruce Power in Canada. Director of Generation Greg Evans ran the former Magnox nuclear station on Anglesey.
Horizon is in active discussions with a range of other companies for further operational support and advice in areas such as training its own workforce, including those from its recently launched apprenticeship programme, for operations.
*1 ABWR : Advanced Boiling Water Reactor / BWR: Boiling Water Reactor
*2 PWR: Pressurized Water Reactor