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Wilmington, N.C., March 9, 2010 — GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy signed an agreement with EnergyLab Foundation to support Italy’s pursuit of nuclear energy to address the country’s goals for energy security and cleaner energy.
Under the memorandum of understanding, GEH will work with EnergyLab to explore opportunities for new nuclear power plants based on GEH’s ABWR and ESBWR reactor designs.
EnergyLab, a Milan-based non-profit organization, collaborates with some of Italy’s energy companies, universities and local governments to help solve the country’s energy and environmental challenges.
Click here to read about GE/Hitachi’s work in Poland
Aiming to reduce dependence on imported energy sources and meet environmental goals, Italy’s government in 2008 ended a ban on domestic nuclear energy production and announced plans to build eight to 10 new nuclear power stations.
About 10 percent of Italy’s electricity is generated by nuclear power, but all of it is imported, according to the World Nuclear Association. The Italian government has set a goal of producing 25 percent of the country’s electricity from nuclear energy by 2030.
The U.S. and Italian governments signed a bilateral civilian nuclear energy cooperation agreement in September 2009, supporting GEH and other U.S. companies’ ability to supply Italy with nuclear reactor technology and services.
EnergyLab was founded in 2007 by the Lombardia regional government; AEM Foundation and the Edison Foundation (created by energy companies A2A and Edison); the municipality of Milan; the University of Milan; the University of Milan-Bicocca; the Catholic University; Milan Polytechnic; Bocconi University and the research center ERSE.
GEH, the global nuclear energy alliance of GE and Hitachi, is a world-leading provider of advanced reactor technology and nuclear plant services, with more than 50 years of experience. GEH participated in the launch of Italy’s first domestic nuclear energy program on behalf of Enel, which included an 860-MW, second-generation boiling water reactor (BWR) nuclear power plant. This station operated from 1978 until it was closed as the country ended its first nuclear energy program.
GEH has established nuclear supply chain affiliates in Europe and has the potential to leverage the expertise of GE’s Milan-based energy services group, as well as the experienced workforce and manufacturing facilities of GE Oil & Gas, which is headquartered in Florence.
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry.
