Initial work by reactor companies will start soon on preparatory design studies for a new nuclear power plant in North Wales, Horizon Nuclear Power said yesterday.

Horizon, a joint venture established in 2009 by E.ON UK and RWE Npower, said it has signed contracts with Areva and Westinghouse for site-specific studies that would prepare those companies to make commercial bids for their European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR) and AP1000 reactors respectively.

In March 2010 Horizon said it would build its first reactor at Wylfa given the right market conditions and subject to a final investment decision. It said it would select a preferred reactor vendor around the end of the year and aims to be generating power by 2020.

Horizon chief operating officer Alan Raymant said: "We are already working with both companies in a formal procurement process regarding our preferred vendor."

"Progressing with some studies now, for both designs, will support our planning and licensing process by allowing us to develop the site specific designs, and make us a more informed buyer."

Horizon aims to develop around 6,000 megawatts of new nuclear capacity in the UK.

New Nuclear Joint Venture Set To Start Operations In UK.

Horizon Confirms Plans For First New UK Plant At Wylfa.