Hitachi to Expand Nuclear Jobs – 13,000 Jobs will be Created

A major expansion of Britain’s nuclear power could create 13,000 jobs, if two proposed new atomic reactors are built at Wylfa in Anglesey and Oldbury in Gloucestershire.

The major development was predicted when Horizon Nuclear Power, formerly owned by E.ON and RWE, was bought for £700million by Japanese engineering company Hitachi.

The move would lead to around 6,000 jobs being created during construction of the sites as well as a further 1,000 permanent jobs once the plants are up and running.

The existing Wylfa nuclear power station, which generates about 8,395 gigawatts per hour each year, is nearing the end of its useful life and is due to be decommissioned in the next two years. It had been shortlisted for a new reactor last year, but Horizon had announced they were shelving plans to build a new reactor due to the economic downturn and the Fukushima accident.

New owner Hitachi is expected to announce the company’s building proposals shortly leading to the speculation that the future of nuclear power is still viable and could create much needed new jobs.

Environmental groups have expressed concern at the development but the government is welcoming any new investment into the British economy as a way of securing employment for the future.