BNFL’s US-based technology and services arm, Westinghouse, is negotiating with the US DoE to lead a consortium in building a $500 million, high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor at its research centre in Idaho.
The proposals will see the same Westinghouse-led consortium which is building the PBMR in South Africa, develop the plant, although no official contract to build the reactor has been tendered so far. Those close to the industry say the tender is expected later this year.
If Westinghouse wins both the DoE contract and is successful in its bid to sell its AP1000 reactor to the Chinese, BNFL is expected to speed up plans to sell the subsidiary, which already operates independently.
