US-based Westinghouse Electric Company has signed a memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with six UK companies to support nuclear new build projects based on its AP1000 and AP300 technologies in the UK and around the world. MOUs were signed with William Cook Cast Products, Trillium Flow Technology, Curtiss-Wright Controls (UK), Boccard UK, Bendalls Engineering and Sheffield Forgemasters.
The agreements provide these companies with the potential to supply key reactor components, including valves, pumps, actuators, mechanical electrical piping and instrument (MEPI) modules, pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers and piping and cast and forged steel components.
Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems, said “Partnering with these suppliers drives real economic benefits by employing local trades and creating jobs for nuclear new build projects in the UK, as well as supporting projects in Europe and internationally.”
Six AP1000 units are operational worldwide – four in China and two in the US with 12 under construction and five under contract. Programmes in Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria have also selected the technology, with other sites under consideration in Europe and North America. However, currently, the AP1000 is not licensed or operating anywhere in Europe.
The AP1000s in the US faced serious delays and budget overruns. Georgia’s Vogtle units 3&4 were completed seven years late and $17bn over budget. The Chinese units were also delayed. At the other projects, Westinghouse contracts other companies to undertake the actual construction.
In December 2024, Westinghouse signed an MOU with BWXT Canada, under which the Canadian company has the potential to manufacture key AP1000 and AP300 reactor components, including steam generators, reactor vessels, pressure vessels and heat exchangers. In March MOUs were signed with six suppliers in Saskatchewan to support nuclear new build projects in Canada and worldwide. However, all of Canada’s operating reactors are pressurised heavy water CANDU units – a completely different technology from the AP1000 pressurised water reactor. Currently Canada is investing heavily in promoting its own CANDU technology.
Westinghouse says the AP300 SMR uses AP1000 engineering, components and supply chain to streamline licensing and leverage available technical skills. In February 2024, Westinghouse signed an agreement with Community Nuclear Power Limited for the construction of four AP300 units in the North Teesside region of northeast England. The UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero in August 2024 approved the AP300 to enter the Generic Design Assessment process. In April, Westinghouse pulled its SMR300 out of the UK’s SMR design competition.
