Consortium heads east

's State Nuclear Power Technology Company (SNPTC) has selected the Westinghouse/Shaw Consortium and Westinghouse's AP1000 passive Generation III technology as the basis for four new nuclear power plants to be constructed in

.

The AP1000 Consortium will begin working with SNPTC to negotiate final contract details with implementation of the new build program expected to begin in early 2007.

J.M. Bernhard, Jr, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Shaw, said, ‘These first four "next generation" units will provide a sustainable source of critically needed power generation for the citizens and the government of China.

‘This project also represents the beginning of a major construction program for China to add at least 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power over the next 15 years.’

As part of the AP1000 Consortium, Shaw will provide engineering, procurement, commissioning, and management services for the four Chinese nuclear generation units.

The selection of

and Shaw to supply new nuclear plants in

is the most recent in a series of announcements regarding the AP1000 passive Generation III technology and new nuclear construction. The AP1000 technology obtained Design Certification from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is the current technology selection for at least 12 proposed new units in the

.