Tokyo Electric To Bring ABWR Expertise To The South Texas Project Expansion

Princeton, NJ - NRG Energy, Inc., through its agent, South Texas Project (STP) Nuclear Operating Company, has signed an agreement with The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. (TEPCO) to provide TEPCO's expertise and experience to support STP's planned two-unit expansion. TEPCO owns and operates two Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) nuclear units in Japan and NRG has proposed building two ABWR units at the STP site to bring an additional 2,700 megawatts of clean nuclear power to Texas.

"President Bush and Prime Minister Abe of Japan took an auspicious step today, underscoring the importance of expanding zero-emission nuclear power through the ‘Joint Nuclear Energy Action Plan.' We are proud of our agreement with TEPCO that strongly aligns with the principles of the Plan announced earlier this week," said David Crane, NRG President and Chief Executive Officer. "Technical cooperation within the business sector will be critical to renewed nuclear development in the United States. Combining STP's operational excellence with the tremendous experience TEPCO has in building and operating ABWR nuclear plants will make an unbeatable team."

The NRG/TEPCO agreement calls for TEPCO to consult on the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the new ABWR units at STP, and to provide their expertise and experience in developing the application of a combined construction and operation license that NRG intends to submit to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during the second half of this year. The General Electric Company's ABWR design has been certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

"TEPCO will be an invaluable partner in ensuring STP units 3 and 4 come online on schedule and on budget to help meet Texas' growing energy needs through nuclear power," said Steve Winn, Executive Vice President, Strategy, and Environmental and New Business. "Nuclear power has shown its ability to produce much needed power reliably and safely and without adding greenhouse gases or other emissions into our atmosphere. We look forward to working with TEPCO to develop this proven technology that will power Texas' economy in an economical and environmentally friendly manner."

SOURCE: NRG Energy, Inc.