PALO ALTO, Calif., June 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) announced today that Horizon Nuclear Power Limited in the U.K. is joining EPRI's nuclear research program in 2016.
The membership enables Horizon to access a broad range of EPRI research results and technical guidance related to the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants. The membership builds on successful engagement over the past 18 months between Horizon and EPRI in research programs focused on new nuclear plant development, water chemistry, and, most recently, risk analysis.
Horizon will bring forward at least 5.4GW of new capacity in the UK utilizing Hitachi-GE's Advanced Boiling Water Reactor. Its lead project, Wylfa Newydd in North Wales is expected to start generating electricity in the first half of the 2020s.
"The breadth and scope of EPRI's research and development has supported us in the very robust regulatory approvals process for the new build design and efforts required to begin building new plants," said Mark Lunn, Horizon's Technical Director. "Ultimately, with the benefit of EPRI's support throughout this rigorous process, we will be able to generate enough secure, reliable, low-carbon electricity to power ten million homes."
EPRI's technical products have already informed development of the UK ABWR design, site preparatory work, and environmental assessments and will continue to be valuable through the entire life cycle of the project. Horizon and EPRI signed a three-year agreement during a meeting at Horizon's headquarters in Gloucester, UK on June 27.
"We are pleased to welcome Horizon as a full member in our nuclear research program," said Neil Wilmshurst, EPRI vice president and chief nuclear officer. "The new build project at Wylfa Newydd will bring a proven nuclear design to the U.K. Our research results and global collaboration will support Horizon as it seeks to bring reliable, environmentally-friendly power to millions of UK citizens."
All nuclear utilities in the United States and 19 international utilities are full members of EPRI's nuclear research program.
About EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI, www.epri.com) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, affordability, health, safety and the environment. EPRI members represent 90% of the electric utility revenue in the United States with international participation in 35 countries. EPRI's principal offices and laboratories are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass.
About Horizon Nuclear Power
Horizon Nuclear Power was formed in 2009 to develop new nuclear power stations in the UK. It was acquired by Hitachi Ltd of Japan in November 2012. The company is developing plans to build at least 5,400MW of new nuclear power generation at Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire, UK. Its power station sites will employ 850 people each once operational with a construction workforce of between 8,000 and 10,000. For more information about Horizon, please visit www.horizonnuclearpower.com.
Horizon Nuclear Power Joins Electric Power Research Institute
| Quelle: Electric Power Research Institute