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Hitachi bolster UK nuclear plans

Hitachi have agreed to buy the Horizon Nuclear Power project from E.On and RWE.The project involves plans to build reactors at sites in Wylfa on Anglesey, and Oldbury in Gloucestershire.

Up to 6,000 jobs are expected to be created in the construction process, with a further 1000 in permanent roles at the completed plants.

The new plants are expected to power up to 14 million homes over 60 year, and the first feed into the grid could come as early as 2020.

Hitachi has signed a memorandum of understanding with Babcock International and Rolls-Royce to help deliver the programme.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said: “Hitachi bring with them decades of expertise, and are responsible for building some of the most advanced nuclear reactors on time and on budget, so I welcome their commitment to helping build a low carbon secure energy future for the UK. I particularly welcome Hitachi’s firm commitment to involve the UK supply chain and local workforce.

“New nuclear isn’t only about keeping the lights on and emissions down, it’s an industrial strategy with big potential wins. The Nuclear Industry Council I’m announcing today will play a crucial role in this, and I believe there’s the potential for the UK to become globally recognised as the go-to place for the next generation of nuclear.”

Hitachi will use its Advanced Boiling Water Reactor technology, which has already been licensed in other countries, and successfully built in Japan.

Horizon Chief Operating Officer Alan Raymant said: “This is excellent news and marks the opening of an exciting new chapter for Horizon. Hitachi has a proven international track record in the construction and operation of nuclear power stations.

“We’re very grateful to RWE npower and E.ON UK for the creation and development of Horizon to this point. We will now focus on fully remobilising the business, and working with our new owners to bring forward our plans as soon as possible.

“This announcement is a major shot in the arm for the nuclear industry. We expect our projects to boost the UK’s infrastructure sector, and contribute to sustainable economic developments at local level for decades to come. We’re committed to working with all relevant bodies to maximise the opportunities for the UK and local labour markets and supply chain.

“I’d particularly like to thank the communities at Wylfa and Oldbury for their continued support, along with our first-rate team at Horizon which has remained committed over recent months. As always we will work closely with them as we progress our plans.”

Corin Taylor, Senior Economic Adviser at the Institute of Directors, said: “Nuclear is one of the best ways to generate reliable low carbon electricity at scale, and the sale of Horizon gives the new nuclear programme a real boost.

“Hitachi reactors are being built on time and on budget in Japan and there is no reason why we can’t expect the same in this country. The reactor approval process now needs to be undertaken swiftly and a realistic strike price set.”

David Owen, chief executive of GFirst, which drives Gloucestershire LEP, said: “Talks have been under way for some time in relation to Horizon and I am delighted that this is a long-term investment has been announced. It will create much-needed skilled jobs in our county, while also recognising Gloucestershire as a real hub for nuclear excellence.

“The LEP has a project team which will be able to assist Hitachi and ensure Gloucestershire feels the benefit of this scale of investment in one of our local businesses.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .