Westinghouse to prepare plans for two-unit nuclear plant at Darlington, UK

Westinghouse Electric Company will prepare detailed construction plans, schedules and cost estimates for two potential AP1000 nuclear reactors at Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Darlington site in UK.

The plans and estimates are expected to provide input in helping the Province of Ontario determine the baseload generation option that is best for the people in Ontario.

Westinghouse Americas president Joe Zwetolitz said the company is participating in the Province’s information-gathering process for the establishment of the nuclear plants.

"Should the Province select our AP1000 as the preferred option, we believe that Ontario’s infrastructure could become even more energy self-sufficient, creating local Canadian jobs during construction and opportunities for involving Canadian suppliers on this and future nuclear projects elsewhere in the world," Zwetolitz added.

Upon completion of construction, two-unit AP1000 nuclear plant will require up to 700 employees to operate the plant, said Westinghouse.

The company has also opened its Canadian entity the Westinghouse Electric Canada in Toronto in order enhance its presence in the country and play a key role in the country’s new build market.

"The formation of a Canadian entity earlier this year was consistent with our strategy to increase business in the country," Zwetolitz said.

"With the opening of the Westinghouse Canada office in Toronto, we now have become more a part of Canada’s viable nuclear energy industry."

A large percentage of the scope for the potential construction of AP1000 reactor units at Darlington will be sourced from Ontario or elsewhere in Canada.

Westinghouse said AP1000 units are currently under construction at two sites in the US and two sites in China.