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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Europe’s largest new nuclear development inches forward
Prospects for a second new build nuclear energy project for the UK were boosted in June by the completion of a change in the shareholding in project developer, NuGen, that sees Toshiba partner GDF SUEZ in a new joint venture to take forward the Moorside nuclear project in West Cumbria.
NuGen confirmed its intentions to build three Westinghouse AP1000 reactors on land to the north and west of the Sellafield site in West Cumbria, with a combined output of 3.4 GW. If built, the project would become the UK’s biggest new nuclear output from a single site – and Europe’s largest new nuclear construction project.
Each of the three reactors would take approximately four years to build. When fully operational, the Moorside site could deliver around 7% the UK’s future electricity requirements. A deal has also been concluded with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on the extension of a land option agreement for the Moorside site.
The first reactor is targeted to come online in 2024 – with full commercial operation of 3.4 GW targeted to be delivered by 2026. The fuel for the reactors would be supplied by the Springfields Fuel Fabrication facility near Preston, securing indigenous UK fuel supply.
The company will initially be concentrating on immediate project milestones such as site assessments, site lay-out, and recruitment of leading nuclear professionals to join the project, said NuGen Chief Executive Sandy Rupprecht.
The Westinghouse AP1000 pressurised water reactor is licensed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and eight AP1000 reactors are under construction globally. The design has also completed stage 1 of the UK regulator’s Generic Design Assessment.
News Item details
Journal title: Energy World
Countries: UK -
Subjects: Electricity from nuclear fuel, Nuclear fuels, Land use, Recruitment, Nuclear reactors
