22 Jun (NucNet): GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) has begun the pre-licensing of its next generation advanced economic simplified boiling water reactor (ESBWR) design in the UK, becoming the second nuclear supplier this week to announce preparations for possible new build in the country.
GEH, a recently formed alliance of the two companies, submitted its ESBWR reactor design to government regulators in London to begin the three-year pre-licensing process, or generic design assessment (GDA) as it is known in the UK.
Earlier this week, Areva applied to UK regulators for pre-licensing of its European pressurised water reactor (EPR) design, saying its application was supported by major European utilities.
Included in its application, GEH submitted letters of endorsement from nuclear power operators stating they consider the ESBWR to be a serious contender for the first projects in a possible UK initiative to replace the country’s existing fleet of nuclear power plants.
GEH received letters of endorsement from Iberdrola of Spain (which recently acquired Scottish Power), RWE npower and British Energy. A fourth European-based utility has also endorsed the ESBWR, GEH said.
GEH also said in a statement on 21 June 2007 it has begun adding staff to its UK nuclear project development team.
The UK is the first country in Europe to receive a formal application for design approval of the ESBWR, a Generation III+ design that GEH says has lower capital costs, a shorter construction schedule and reduced operating costs.
The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is hoping to start the first stage of the GDA process for possible new reactor designs in July 2007. This stage should be completed by early 2008.
The UK government is holding a consultation exercise on nuclear energy until mid-October 2007 and is likely to announce its final policy conclusions related to potential new build towards the end of the year.
The HSE says all nuclear related work, including generic design assessment, is progressing “on a contingency basis” and would be stopped if the government concludes it will not support the building of new nuclear units.
