EPR™ : AREVA and Horizon Nuclear Power sign Early Work Agreement in the United Kingdom

AREVA has signed an Early Work Agreement with Horizon Nuclear Power, joint-venture between E.ON and RWE, for site specific design studies on its EPR™ reactor which the two German utilities are considering for construction in the United Kingdom.

Under the agreement, AREVA will undertake studies to support the deployment of two EPR™ reactors on Horizon’s Wylfa site on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales.

Horizon Nuclear Power is also considering the EPR™ for construction on its site at Oldbury (Gloucestershire).

In support of this early works activity, AREVA has also opened a project office in Gloucester, where Horizon Nuclear Power is Headquartered.

The group’s reactor is currently undergoing the Generic Design Assessment in the UK, a pre-certification process scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011.

Jean-Jacques Gautrot, AREVA’s UK Country President, said: “We are delighted that Horizon has awarded us this early work agreement which will further support our plans for a fleet of EPR™ reactors in the UK. To back this objective, we have identified more than 60 British companies as potential suppliers of engineering equipment and services following an intensive year-long selection process.”