GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. It is a global nuclear energy technology provider formed as a strategic alliance between General Electric and Hitachi, Ltd. of Japan. The company, headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, designs, builds, and services advanced nuclear reactors and provides nuclear fuel and plant services. It is a part of GE Vernova's portfolio and plays a significant role in the development of next-generation small modular reactor technology.

History and formation

The company was established in 2007, merging the global nuclear businesses of General Electric and Hitachi, Ltd.. This alliance combined General Electric's long history in nuclear power plant design, dating back to its work with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, with the extensive manufacturing and engineering expertise of Hitachi, Ltd.. Prior to the formation, General Electric had developed the Boiling water reactor technology, which became a cornerstone of the global nuclear power fleet. The joint venture was structured to better compete in the global market against rivals like Westinghouse Electric Company and Framatome. In 2024, as part of a broader corporate restructuring, the entity became part of the independent GE Vernova company following the split of General Electric.

Products and technology

The company's portfolio centers on advanced Boiling water reactor designs, most notably the Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor and the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor. A major focus is the development of the BWRX-300, a small modular reactor designed for enhanced constructability and economic competitiveness. The company also provides a full suite of nuclear services, including fuel fabrication through its Global Nuclear Fuel joint venture, plant modernization, and outage management. Its technology offerings extend to nuclear fuel design and supply, leveraging facilities like the Wilmington, North Carolina fuel fabrication plant. Other key technologies include the PRISM reactor, a sodium-cooled fast reactor design originally developed by General Electric.

Major projects and deployments

The Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor design was selected for the now-canceled Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station expansion in South Carolina and the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Georgia, though the latter project proceeded with Westinghouse Electric Company's AP1000 reactors. Internationally, the company's Advanced Boiling Water Reactor technology is deployed at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan and the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant in Taiwan. A significant current initiative is the deployment of the BWRX-300, with active projects pursued in Ontario with the Ontario Power Generation, in Poland with Orlen Synthos Green Energy, and in Sweden with Kärnfull Next. The company is also involved in life-extension and upgrade projects at existing Boiling water reactor plants across North America and Europe.

Business structure and operations

The company operates as an alliance owned by GE Vernova and Hitachi, Ltd., with GE Vernova holding the majority stake and managing operations. Key operational and executive leadership is based at its headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina. It functions through several specialized business units focusing on reactor design, nuclear services, and fuel supply. The fuel business is managed through Global Nuclear Fuel, a joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and a subsidiary of Toshiba. The company maintains major engineering and manufacturing centers in Wilmington, North Carolina and has a significant operational presence in Japan, supporting the fleet of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings and other utilities.

Safety record and regulatory issues

The company's reactor designs and operational services are subject to stringent oversight by regulators like the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Regulation Authority in Japan. The Advanced Boiling Water Reactor design incorporated lessons from events like the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, featuring enhanced safety systems for station blackout scenarios. The development of the BWRX-300 is undergoing a pre-application review with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The company has been involved in regulatory engagements regarding the potential licensing of the PRISM reactor design. Its fuel fabrication facilities, including the plant in Wilmington, North Carolina, operate under licenses from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and maintain records compliant with International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

Category:Nuclear technology companies Category:Companies based in Wilmington, North Carolina Category:Joint ventures of General Electric Category:Hitachi