Dominion Virginia Electric & Power and Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems (MNES), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Tokyo, Japan, have signed agreement to continue pre-construction, engineering, and planning work in preparation for a third unit at Dominion's North Anna nuclear power plant in central Virginia.
Under the agreement, MNES and MHI will continue to advance engineering and planning work for the project, while awaiting Dominion’s decision on a construction commencement date.
Dominion has selected MHI’s US-Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor (US-APWR) as the reactor design for its potential third nuclear power generation unit.
Dominion has also amended its application for a combined construction and operating license (COL) to build and operate the North Anna Unit 3.
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published that the US-APWR Design Certification issuance is scheduled for the third quarter of 2012, followed by the expected issuance of the COL in early 2013.
Dominion Virginia Electric & Power, a subsidiary of Dominion Resources, is a producer and transporter of energy in the US.