Hitachi today announced it has completed the acquisition of Horizon Nuclear Power from RWE npower and E.ON UK and now plans to build at least four nuclear power plants in the UK.
Following the acquisition, Hitachi owns two sites at Wylfa, Anglesey, and Oldbury, South Gloucestershire. Horizon plans to build two to three 1,300MW nuclear power plants at each of the sites.
Hitachiwill now begin discussions with UK regulators to obtain approval to use Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) technology under the UK’s Generic Design Assessment process.
ABWR technology is the only advanced nuclear technology (Generation III) in operation in the world and is licensed for use in several countries including the US, with four ABWRs having already been successfully built in Japan, on time and to budget.
An early priority will be supply chain engagement and both national and regional events are expected to be held in early in 2013.
MasaharuHanyu, Vice President and Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer of Nuclear Systems and General Manager of Nuclear Systems Division, Power Systems Company, Power Systems Group, Hitachi, said his company was committed to helping the UK achieve its vision of a secure, low-carbon and affordable energy supply.
“The acquisition of Horizon is the first step in this journey, which will see us strive to build a strong UK power production company and support the creation of thousands of highly skilled jobs in the UK’s energy sector,” he said.
“We look forward to welcoming Horizon management and employees to Hitachi and working with them on this exciting project.”
Hitachi is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and is a leading global electronics company with approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. Last year the company’s revenues totalled approximately £75bn.
Hitachi says it is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power systems as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them.
