Dominion Virginia Power, a subsidiary of energy producer and transporter Dominion, has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industry's Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor (US-APWR) technology for a potential third nuclear unit at its North Anna Power Station in central Virginia.

Dominion said that it has not yet decided to build a new nuclear unit at North Anna, but expects to make a decision later this year. If the company decides to build the new unit, it must first receive a combined operating license from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the approval of the Virginia State Corporation Commission. The Mitsubishi US-APWR design currently is undergoing the NRC certification process.

Thomas Farrell II, chairman, president and CEO of Dominion, said: “Dominion Virginia Power is the first utility in the US to conduct a competitive bidding process for new reactor technology in the past decade. We are pleased with the results of this process. Based on our final analysis of the proposals received in the competitive process, Mitsubishi provided the most attractive value for our customers.

“Mitsubishi reactor designs have been thoroughly tested. This reactor meets all analyzed and permitted environmental requirements for the North Anna site, and will produce a substantial amount of electricity with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions.”

The World Nuclear Association reports that nuclear power capacity worldwide is increasing steadily, with more than 50 reactors under construction in 13 countries.

PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of electricity in 13 states, including Virginia, forecasts that peak demand in Virginia will grow by 5600MW by 2019, which will require additional generation to meet.