Westinghouse Electric Company, headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pa., has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with six British suppliers to support upcoming nuclear new build projects.
“These agreements mark a significant milestone in Westinghouse’s commitment to the UK [United Kingdom] as a key partner in our global nuclear energy portfolio,” said Dan Lipman, president of Westinghouse Energy Systems.
MOUs were signed with William Cook Cast Products, Trillium Flow Technology, Curtiss-Wright Controls (UK), Boccard UK, Bendalls Engineering and Sheffield Forgemasters.
“Partnering with these suppliers drives real economic benefits by employing local trades and creating jobs for nuclear new build projects in the UK, as well as supporting projects in Europe and internationally,” Lipman said.
Agreements for the projects, which are based on AP1000® and AP300™ technologies in the UK and around the world, will bolster Westinghouse’s local supply chain to support the UK’s goal of increasing nuclear generation by up to 24 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, said Westinghouse in a Sept. 3 statement.
Specifically, the agreements provide the six companies with the potential to supply key reactor components, including valves, pumps, actuators, mechanical electrical piping and instrument modules, pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers and piping and cast and forged steel components.
The AP1000 reactor is the only operating advanced Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design, and a small footprint. There are six AP1000 reactors currently setting operational performance and availability records worldwide with 14 reactors under construction and six more under contract, said Westinghouse.
The AP300 SMR is based on the proven technology of the AP1000 reactor. Unlike other SMR under development with first-of-a-kind technologies and risks, the AP300 SMR uses AP1000 engineering, components, and supply chain to streamline licensing and leverage available technical skills, the company said.