Westinghouse's vision of an AP300 plant
The agreements were signed with William Cook Cast Products, Trillium Flow Technology, Curtiss-Wright Controls (UK), Boccard UK, Bendalls Engineering, and Sheffield Forgemasters. Under the MoUs, these suppliers could provide essential components such as valves, pumps, actuators, mechanical and electrical piping systems, instrument modules, pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, and cast and forged steel parts.
Westinghouse, now owned by Canada’s Brookfield and Cameco, said the agreements reinforce its UK supply chain to support the country’s target of expanding nuclear generation capacity by up to 24 GW by 2050. Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems, stated: “These agreements mark a significant milestone in Westinghouse’s commitment to the UK as a key partner in our global nuclear energy portfolio. 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.”
The AP1000 pressurized water reactor is highlighted by Westinghouse as the only advanced Generation III+ reactor currently in operation with fully passive safety systems, modular construction, and the smallest footprint per megawatt-electric. Six AP1000 units are operating globally, setting records for performance and availability, while 14 more are under construction and six others under contract.
Building on this platform, the company introduced the AP300 small modular reactor (SMR) in May 2023. The AP300 is a single-loop pressurized water reactor derived from AP1000 technology. Westinghouse is seeking design certification by 2027, aiming for first construction in 2030 and commercial operation in 2033. The company noted: “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.”
In February 2024, Westinghouse signed an agreement with Community Nuclear Power Limited to build four AP300 units in North Teesside, northeast England. If realized, this would become the UK’s first privately-financed SMR fleet. The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero approved the AP300 for entry into the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process in August 2024. Completion of the GDA will lead to a Design Acceptance Confirmation from the Office for Nuclear Regulation and a Statement of Design Acceptability from the Environment Agency.
Westinghouse has also been expanding partnerships outside the UK. In December 2024, the company signed an MoU with BWXT Canada, which may manufacture critical AP1000 and AP300 components, including steam generators, reactor vessels, and heat exchangers.
These agreements illustrate Westinghouse’s strategy of combining global reactor deployment with localized supply chains, while advancing both large-scale nuclear and modular reactor technologies to meet growing energy needs.
