Several leading energy companies, including AREVA, formed an alliance in June to develop America’s first clean energy park project at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) site in Piketon, Ohio
- By Stephen Heiser -
AREVA held its second U.S. Supplier Day in Columbus to identify and begin certification of new partner companies to help supply and build U.S. EPR nuclear plants in the United States, including possibly one in southern Ohio, and other export opportunities around the world. Representatives from more than 100 companies attended the event.
Several leading energy companies, including AREVA, formed an alliance in June to develop America’s first clean energy park project at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) site in Piketon, Ohio. The Southern Ohio Clean Energy Park Alliance1 will evaluate the DOE Portsmouth site as a potential location for a new nuclear power plant. The initial focus of the project is on AREVA’s U.S. EPR technology.
Additionally, several companies have submitted license applications to build U.S. EPR nuclear plants and more are under consideration. AREVA plans to invest more than $3 billion in the U.S. energy infrastructure, such as the AREVA Newport News facility in Virginia and Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility in Idaho, and has already begun creating new jobs.
“AREVA came to Ohio to look for partners to manufacture and supply the thousands of components and to build U.S. EPR™ nuclear plants that are truly ‘Made in America,’ and further realize our vision of revitalizing America’s energy infrastructure,” said Mike Rencheck, President and CEO of AREVA NP Inc. “We have been overwhelmed by the strong response to our call for partners and look forward to moving ahead with projects to generate clean electricity and create new jobs, manufacturing, and tax revenues for U.S. communities.”
A new U.S. EPR project would create up to 11,000 direct and indirect jobs during component manufacturing and plant construction. Additionally, it would create more than 400 permanent jobs and spur billions of dollars of investment into the regional economy. Such a project would require hundreds of qualified suppliers and subcontractors. When complete, the 1,600+ Megawatt U.S. EPR nuclear plant would produce reliable, CO2-free, baseload electricity for more than 1.6 million households.
1Duke Energy, AREVA, UniStar Nuclear Energy, USEC Inc. and the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) comprise the Southern Ohio Clean Energy Park Alliance
As a leading U.S. nuclear vendor and a key player in the electricity transmission and distribution sector, AREVA Inc.’s 6,000 U.S. energy employees are committed to serving the nation and paving the way for the future of the electricity market. With 45 locations across the nation and nearly $2 billion in energy revenues in 2008, AREVA Inc., through its subsidiaries, combines U.S. leadership, access to worldwide expertise and a proven track record of performance. In the U.S. and in more than 100 countries around the world, AREVA is engaged in the 21st century’s greatest challenges: making energy available to all, protecting the planet, and acting responsibly toward future generations.