Plans for a nuclear reactor at the Wylfa nuclear power plant in Anglesey have been provisionally approved.

The UK Energy Secretary gave the approval to reactor manufacturer Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy Ltd. for an advanced boiling water reactor. The approval is a required step before assessing proposed nuclear builds, according to the BBC. The reactor will be built on the site of the existing Wylfa nuclear power plant. Hitachi-GE is the lead contractor and reactor provider for Horizon Nuclear Power, the company building the new reactor.

The 490-MW Unit 1 is scheduled to permanently shut down September 30, but Magnox has requested a 15-month life extension. Wylfa 2 shut down in April 2012.

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