RWE and E.ON ask reactor designer Westinghouse to name its construction partner for nuclear new-build programme

Energy giants RWE and E.ON have asked nuclear reactor designer Westinghouse to name its construction partner in the run-up to its nuclear new-build programme.

Firms including Laing O鈥橰ourke, Costain, Fluor and Carillion are understood to be in the running for the role, which would co-ordinate construction of up to 拢20bn worth of nuclear plants if Westinghouse鈥檚 AP1000 is chosen by the utility joint venture.

In the US, Westinghouse is partnered with construction firm the Shaw Group, which is also going to the UK job. Interviews took place two weeks ago and a shortlist is due next month.

The news comes as the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) raised doubts over the safety of rival Areva鈥檚 European Pressurised Reactor, and signals a strengthening of Westinghouse鈥檚 position in the UK.

RWE/E.ON is still officially 鈥渢echnology neutral鈥�, but it is understood to be leaning towards Westinghouse over concerns about the waiting time for components.

A source said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about how long the queue is. For the next eight years, Areva is going to be dominated by providing reactors to EDF. If you want to build on the same time scale, you鈥檙e going to be forced to go with an alternative.鈥�

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