May 31, 2006—Demonstrating its commitment to the global nuclear industry, GE Energy’s nuclear business formally began construction in May 2006 on a two-story, 40,000-square-foot advanced reactor technology center at its Wilmington, N.C., headquarters.
Upon completion, the building will house more than 200 engineers, project managers, and support staff dedicated to advanced reactor technology, says the company.
The new building is one of several ongoing projects at the new Nuclear Headquarters in Wilmington. In September 2005, GE and North Carolina Governor Mike Easley announced the expansion plans that include an overall investment of $77 million in the GE Wilmington site. The advanced reactor center is slated for completion in November 2006.
GE’s advanced ESBWR technology, one of only two “Generation III+” designs available to customers, has already been selected for three potential US reactor projects. While no US utilities have decided to formally place what would be the first reactor orders in 25 years, several could submit applications for federal construction and operating licenses (COLs) in 2007 or 2008. If approved, construction could begin by 2010 or 2011. Beyond North America, the ESBWR is also being considered for installation by a number of other utility customers and national governments.
These partnerships compliment GE’s existing global supply chain capability, which has been fully developed for ongoing projects in Japan and Taiwan, notes the company. Together, these relationships provide tremendous certainty of cost, schedule, and capacity for new plant delivery.
For more information visit GE Energy.
