GE Hitachi, DTE Energy collaborate for ESBWR development

GE_Hitachi

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and DTE Energy have announced collaboration to explore advancing the detailed design of the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR).

In May, DTE Energy received the first-ever ESBWR-based combined construction and operating license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

DTE has not made a commitment to build, but is keeping the option open, given the long-term environmental and economic advantages of nuclear power, the company said in a statement.

Both DTE and GEH have plans to expand their cooperation to advance ESBWR design, enabling DTE Energy to be in a position to more readily begin work should the utility decide at a later date to add more carbon-free, base load power to its energy mix, said GE Hitachi chief operations officer Jay Wileman.

Dominion Virginia Power has also selected the ESBWR as their technology of choice for a potential third reactor at the North Anna site. That project is expected to be licensed by the NRC next year.

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