UK: Reactor design approved for Moorside’s nuclear power plant

Yesterday, the regulators agreed to Westinghouse Electric Company’s AP1000 nuclear power station reactor design.

The NuGen’s largest power plant project of Europe is moving forward. Indeed, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) plus the Environment Agency Natural Resources Wales have revealed a positive Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for the AP1000 nuclear reactor construction in the UK.

ONR chief nuclear inspector Richard Savage said: “The closure of our assessment of the generic design of the AP1000 reactor is a significant step in the process, ensuring the design meets the very high standards of safety we expect. We will now focus our regulatory attention on site specific assessments, and NuGen’s application for a nuclear site license.”

Westinghouse Electric Company, the World’s leading supplier of nuclear technology has been in charge of the design.

The NuGen’s nuclear power plant, located at Moorside in West Cumbria, would consist of three AP1000 reactors.

NuGen CEO, Tom Samson declared: “Moorside’s three reactors will provide seven per cent of the UK’s electricity needs from a low-carbon source. This project will be transformational for Cumbria, and the North of England and will offer unrivalled employment, skills and supply chain opportunities in line with the Government’s work on industrial strategy.”

The £10bn Moorside project construction should start in 2018.