Bangor University Host Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Seminar

Bangor is proud to be the first university in Wales that has hosted a technical seminar on the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) - the technology that will be deployed by Horizon Nuclear Power at Wylfa Newydd on the Isle of Anglesey.

The seminar is one in a series of events hosted in the UK, and featured presentations by Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd and Horizon Nuclear Power at the University’s Reichel Building.

The Hitachi-GE team presented an overview of the ABWR to a wide variety of delegates from industry and academia, as well as discussing the high-level construction methods which have ensured successful development in the past. Horizon also presented an overview of the Wylfa Newydd project and progress to date.  

The objective of the seminar was to help delegates develop a broader understanding of the technology, as Hitachi-GE brings ABWR technology to the UK for the first time.

Opening the seminar, Prof David Shepherd, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Bangor University, said: “Since signing our Memorandum of Understanding in January to work with Horizon Nuclear Power, we have been exploring opportunities to collaborate more closely on a range of activities.  I am delighted, therefore, that Bangor University has been able to host this event, alongside Horizon and Hitachi-GE, which brings together a diverse range of stakeholders with a shared interest in better understanding and moving forward this important low carbon technology.”

Shunsuke Utena, Executive Office of Hitachi Europe’s Nuclear Power Project team, said: “The ABWR is the most advanced operational reactor anywhere in the world, and has a proven track record of reliable construction and operation.

“It is a pleasure to work with Bangor University on this seminar, discussing the technology, in detail, with some of North Wales’ leading experts in a range of academic fields”.

Mark Tippett, Learning and Development Manager at Horizon Nuclear Power, said: “As a leading academic institution in Wales, Bangor University was a natural choice to host this seminar, and the event is a further demonstration of our developing relationship. We will look to providing further technical seminars in partnership with the University as the project progresses.”

Publication date: 2 December 2015