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Horizon signs design contract with Hitachi-GE for new Wylfa Power Station

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 15 May 2013

Horizon Nuclear Power today announced the signing of a major contract with its reactor technology provider, and primary contractor, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. (Hitachi-GE).

The Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract sets the framework for design work to be undertaken for the new build project at Wylfa.

Horizon’s Chief Operating Officer Alan Raymant said: “This is a multi-million pound contract stretching over several years, and represents another major step forward in our project”.

“It will support our site development work, allow us to assess the best construction timetable for Wylfa, feed into our public consultations and support the supply chain development strategy. Wylfa is an excellent site for a new nuclear power station, and with the FEED contract in place we will be able to work with Hitachi-GE to develop plans to bring this project to life”.

Mr Hidetoshi Takehara, President of Hitachi-GE said: “We are delighted to have signed this contract with Horizon, it is a further step forward in the early phase work towards site readiness”.

“The FEED contract puts in place the commercial arrangements under which we will work up site-specific design plans for Horizon’s project at Wylfa”.

Horizon and Hitachi will be running supplier events next week in Llandudno and Gloucester to share information about the project with potential suppliers, and has recently invited expressions of interest in a small number of procurement opportunities.

Alan Raymant said: "The majority of the supply chain opportunities will flow from the manufacturing and construction programme, managed by Hitachi-GE on our behalf. In addition, there will be early opportunities to support Horizon's site development activities, and our work building our capability to become the owner and operator of nuclear power stations.

"We'll be looking for suppliers to demonstrate they can deliver to time, cost and quality. We'll also look for suppliers to be innovative in their proposals, making best use of the expertise locally, regionally and nationally."

- ENDS -

Notes to editors

  • Horizon Nuclear Power was formed in 2009 to develop new nuclear power stations in the UK, and was put up for sale by its founders in March 2012. The company was acquired by Hitachi Ltd of Japan in November 2012.
  • Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd., (Hitachi-GE) is the technology provider and delivery team leader for Horizon’s developments at Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey and Oldbury-on-Severn in South Gloucestershire. Hitachi-GE is owned 80.01% by Hitachi Ltd and 19.99% by GE.
  • The FEED contract was signed by Horizon on 14 May 2013.
  • Last month Hitachi-GE signed agreements with the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency for the generic assessment of Hitachi's ABWR reactor design.
  • Horizon and Hitachi is not at the stage of entering price negotiations with Government, but is continuing important discussions regarding the principles of Electricity Market Reform to ensure the right policies are in place to support a final investment decision.
  • Horizon’s developments at Wylfa and Oldbury will represent multibillion pound investments in the UK’s infrastructure. Each is expected to create up to 6000 jobs at peak during the construction phase, and around 1000 during operation.
  • Site layout and design aspects of the project will be made available for public comment when Horizon launches their first phase of public consultation on the project.
  • Companies interested in attending Horizon’s supplier events should contact suppliers@horizonnuclearpower.com. These events will not be open to media, however for interviews and discussions around the events please contact the Horizon press office.

Contact:

Tristram Denton Tristram.denton@horizonnuclearpower.com on 07585 966 747
Richard Foxhall Richard.foxhall@horizonnuclearpower.com on 07807 769 265

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