Westinghouse expands UK supply chain for new reactors

MoUs have been signed with William Cook Cast Products, Trillium Flow Technology, Curtiss-Wright Controls (UK), Boccard UK, Bendalls Engineering and Sheffield Forgemasters.

Westinghouse said the agreements provide these companies with the potential to supply key reactor components, including valves, pumps, actuators, mechanical electrical piping and instrument modules, pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers and piping and cast and forged steel components.

Westinghouse - now owned by Canada's Brookfield and Cameco - said the agreements "bolster its local supply chain to support the UK's ambitious goal of increasing nuclear generation by up to 24 GW by 2050".

“These agreements mark a significant milestone in Westinghouse’s commitment to the UK as a key partner in our global nuclear energy portfolio," said Westinghouse Energy Systems President Dan Lipman. "Partnering with these suppliers drives real economic benefits by employing local trades and creating jobs for nuclear new build projects in the UK, as well as supporting projects in Europe and internationally."

Westinghouse says the AP1000 pressurised water reactor is the only operating advanced Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. There are six AP1000 reactors currently setting operational performance and availability records worldwide with 14 reactors under construction and six more under contract.

Launched in May 2023, the AP300 small modular reactor (SMR) is a single-loop pressurised water reactor based on the AP1000 technology. The company hopes to get design certification by 2027, with construction of a first unit beginning in 2030 and operation slated for 2033.

"Unlike every other SMR under development with first-of-a-kind technologies and risks, the AP300 SMR uses AP1000 engineering, components and supply chain to streamline licensing and leverage available technical skills," Westinghouse said.

In February 2024, Westinghouse signed an agreement with Community Nuclear Power Limited for the construction of four AP300 units in the North Teesside region of northeast England. It would be the UK's first privately-financed SMR fleet.

The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in August 2024 approved the AP300 to enter the Generic Design Assessment process. Successful completion of the GDA culminates in the issue of a Design Acceptance Confirmation from the Office for Nuclear Regulation and a Statement of Design Acceptability from the Environment Agency.

Westinghouse signed an MoU with BWXT Canada in December 2024, under which the Canadian company has the potential to manufacture key AP1000 and AP300 reactor components, including steam generators, reactor vessels, pressure vessels and heat exchangers.