Horizon & Regulator Sign Agreement on Procurement of Reactor Equipment

November 25, 2014

Horizon Nuclear Power has signed an agreement with the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) which paves the way for it to begin purchasing major equipment for its Wylfa Newydd development.

Certain parts of the new nuclear reactor and associated technologies are designated as ‘Long Lead Items’ (LLIs) as they take a significant amount of time to manufacture and are needed early in the construction phase. They therefore need to be ordered well in advance of nuclear construction beginning on site and in order for Wylfa Newydd to start generating in the first half of the 2020s. To enable this process to begin Horizon has signed a Deed with ONR to give the regulator oversight of Horizon’s procurement activities for the LLIs, which includes the reactor pressure vessels, in advance of Horizon applying for a full Nuclear Site Licence at Wylfa.

Janet Wilson, Licensing and Permitting Director at Horizon said: “This is a significant milestone for Horizon as it marks another step in our journey towards becoming a Nuclear Site Licensee and the construction and operation of Wylfa Newydd. The Deed is a sign of how we have grown and developed as an organisation over the last few years and we look forward to strengthening our working relationship with the ONR still further as our project advances.”

Under the Deed, Horizon will inform ONR of its schedule for procurement and make documents, activities, and premises relating to the procurement of LLIs available for inspection. Horizon will also work with the regulator to ensure that all procurement activities for the LLIs are in compliance with the ONR’s standard licence conditions.

Notes to Editors

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 plant at Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire.

For further information please contact:

Ben Russell on 07580 948 106
ben.russell@horizonnuclearpower.com

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