Westinghouse Electric Company, based in Cranberry Township, Pa., announced Tuesday it had been awarded a Technical Feasibility Study (TFS) contract for the AP1000 reactors with the Dutch government.
The study will evaluate the deployment of two AP1000 nuclear reactors at the Borssele Nuclear Power Station, and represents a step forward in the country’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The study is aligned with the European Union’s climate goals and the country’s commitment to carbon-neutral electricity production by 2035, officials said.
“We are honored to begin work with the Dutch government on this preliminary yet crucial phase to deliver the world’s most advanced, Generation III+ reactor technology,” Westinghouse Energy Systems President David Durham said. “With our industry-leading, globally-deployed AP1000® technology, Westinghouse is proud to support the Dutch government and offer reliable, affordable, carbon-free electricity and economic benefits to the Netherlands for decades to come.”
The AP1000 reactor is the only Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, and modular construction design, officials said. One AP1000 unit has achieved commercial operation – at the Vogtle stie in Georgia, and is producing power for the grid, while a second unit has recently achieved initial criticality. Commercial operation on the second unit is expected in the second quarter of this year.
Another four AP1000 reactors are setting operational performance and availability records in China with eight additional reactors under construction. AP1000 reactors have also been chosen in Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria. The technology is also under consideration at sites in Central and Eastern Europe, the United Kingdom, India, and North America.