Nuclear generation

and AP1000 consortium partner

have been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by

.

The contract calls for two Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear units the utility plans to build at a site in Levy County, Florida. The AP1000 units will each have an electric generating capacity of 1,100MW.

The first AP1000 unit at Levy County is expected to be operational in 2016, pending regulatory approvals. The second unit would begin commercial operation a year later.

Portions of the AP1000 units will be assembled at a 600,000ft² module assembly fabrication that Shaw previously announced it will build in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The facility, which is being constructed on a 300-acre site at the Port of Lake Charles, will primarily produce structural, piping and equipment modules for AP1000 nuclear power plants.

‘The decision by Progress Energy to proceed with an EPC contract is further proof that electric utilities support a nuclear renaissance that will provide ratepayers with safe, reliable and carbon-free generation of baseload electricity,’ said JM Bernhard Jr, Shaw's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

He added: ‘This project is particularly important because it will enable Progress Energy to fulfil its commitment to retire older fossil-fired units in Florida.’