Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), through Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems Inc. (MNES), and U.S. utility, Virginia Electric and Power Company ("Dominion"), have reached an agreement to continue pre-construction, engineering, and planning work in preparation for a third unit at Dominion's North Anna Nuclear Power Plant in central Virginia.
Dominion has selected MHI's US-Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor (US-APWR) as the reactor design for its potential third nuclear power generation unit. Based on the agreement, MHI will continue to advance engineering and planning work for the project, while awaiting Dominion’s decision on a construction commencement date.
Dominion amended its application for a combined construction and operating license (COL) to build and operate the North Anna Unit 3, applying the US-APWR design, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in late June. The US-APWR Design Certification issuance is scheduled by the third quarter of 2012 as currently published by NRC, followed by the expected issuance of the COL in early 2013.
The US-APWR for Dominion represents the third reactor utilizing the US-APWR design selected by a U.S. utility. In July 2006, MHI established MNES, a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Washington, D.C., and launched local marketing activities for the US-APWR. In March 2007, Luminant selected the US-APWR design for its Comanche Peak Units 3 and 4.
MHI developed the US-APWR, one of the world’s largest and most advanced reactors, based on technologies for a 1,538 MW APWR intended for use at the Tsuruga Power Station (Units 3 and 4) of the Japan Atomic Power Company. A variety of modifications were added to meet the demands of U.S. utility customers for enhanced performance.
Dominion and its sister companies are leading nuclear power generation companies in the United States, with head offices in Richmond, Virginia. Currently these companies operate seven pressurized water reactors (PWR).
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