Hitachi appoints 3 new UK partners for Wylfa Newydd development

Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe has announced the appointment of three UK partner firms to support the delivery of the multi-billion pound Wylfa Newydd power station project on Anglesey, North Wales. Process Industry Forum rounds up the latest details in this long-running development.

Atkins, KBR and Wood join project

Assuming a successful project outcome, Hitachi aims to deliver the Nuclear Island and Architect-Engineering for the proposed Wylfa Newydd development on the Isle of Anglesey under contract to Horizon Nuclear Power (a Hitachi Subsidiary).

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, will support on Civil Engineering design for the Nuclear Island; KBR will work on Project Controls; and Wood, a UK headquartered global engineering firm, will support Architect Engineering.

Pedigree, expertise and detailed knowledge

Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe Project Director, Eric Chassard, said: "Wood, has been involved in every nuclear new build in UK history. KBR and Atkins are also world leaders in their fields - with clear and proven experience on projects of this scale and complexity. The pedigree, expertise and detailed knowledge of all three partners are second to none.

"We are rapidly developing a team of the world's most capable companies as we prepare to deliver the Nuclear Island and Architect-Engineering for Wylfa Newydd, and couldn't have found stronger partners to support us.

"This is one more step in the UK's growing domestic expertise around UK ABWR technology. A chance for UK workforces to play a role at the heart of technical delivery for the Wylfa Newydd project, and to further spread the economic benefit through the UK supply chain.

Nuclear power generation plans

Horizon Nuclear Power is developing plans to build at least 5.8GW of new nuclear power generation plant at Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire. Its power station sites will employ up to 850 people each once operational with a construction workforce expected to peak at 9,000.

"Once operational, Horizon's plant at Wylfa Newydd will produce some 2.9GW of clean, secure and affordable electricity - and its development will provide once-in-a-generation economic opportunities for the UK nuclear industry, and the region of North West Wales," Chassard concludes.

For more information visit www.hitachi.eu/en-gb.