Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Wednesday it has reached a basic agreement to help Westinghouse Electric Co. of the United States develop a new 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactor.
MHI said in a press release that Westinghouse is aiming to receive design certification for the new pressurized water reactor, called the AP1000, from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission by the end of 2004.
The two companies will finalize the contract by yearend, MHI said.
The AP1000 will be based on Westinghouse's existing 600-megawatt reactor, the AP600.
MHI also said the development program involves Electricite de France and British Nuclear Fuels PLC, and that MHI will be involved in the development and design of the AP1000's reactor core, system and equipment.