The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has welcomed confirmation from the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency that they have approved Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe’s UK ABWR reactor design.
Horizon Nuclear Power plan to use the technology at its first site at Wylfa Newydd on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales and its Oldbury site in Gloucestershire.
Combined the two stations will provide power to 10 million homes and each site will require a full-time construction workforce of 4,000, with a peak demand for 8,500 workers.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
“The design approval of the UK ABWR is good news for the UK’s new nuclear programme and signals the conclusion of a thorough, rigorous and detailed process by the UK’s independent regulators, widely acknowledged as world class.
“With two thirds of UK power stations closing between 2010 and 2030, this is an important step in providing secure, reliable and low carbon nuclear power for the future, to homes, businesses and public services.
“The nuclear sector already accounts for £400 million of Welsh GDP. Future projects will build on this, creating highly skilled jobs and further economic benefit to the communities in which it will be built.”
Source: NIA UK | NIA welcomes design approval for the UK ABWR