The firms have agreed to work together on GEH’s PRISM technology, which would dispose of nuclear waste by turning the plutonium into a fuel for a new 622MW nuclear plant at Sellafield.
Jay Wileman, GEH Senior Vice President, said: “Iberdrola’s experience and expertise in plant operations and power generation coupled with GE Hitachi’s advanced technology is a powerful combination that we believe will further strengthen PRISM’s position as the best solution for plutonium re-use in the UK.”
Alfio Vidal, director of Iberdrola Nuclear Generation UK, said: “PRISM is an extremely exciting technology, which draws on decades of experience to provide a solution to one of the UK’s most pressing legacy challenges.
He added: “This will not only deliver a viable technology solution for plutonium re-use, it could drive extensive investment in skills and further establish the UK, and West Cumbria, as a global-hub of nuclear expertise.”