It is trying to get two designs for advanced reactors certified for use in the U.S. by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and is marketing the reactors in many other nations, including throughout Asia.

WSJ: GE Steps Up Aid in Reactor Crisis

Mr Ishizuka acknowledges that the company is taking a risk, though given that Hitachi knows how to build advanced boiling water reactors and that it now owns the land on which to build them, he is firmly optimistic.

BBC: Hitachi's nuclear deal still faces hurdles

Power generation by two advanced gas-cooled reactors began in 1983 at the Tees Road plant which was taken over by EDF in 2009.

BBC: Crews tackle fire at Hartlepool nuclear plant

Executives have been pressing officials in China to include GE's advanced boiling-water reactors in their next five-year economic plan (China uses the pressurized reactors championed by perennial GE rival Westinghouse, now part of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.).

FORBES: GE Turns Green

Meanwhile, a new generation of nuclear reactors is already under construction or in advanced stages of planning.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Hitachi's proposed facilities will use its advanced boiling water technology, which is already used in four reactors in Japan.

BBC: Hitachi buys UK nuclear project from E.On and RWE

Each of the reactors will be a small, modular, 125MW advanced light water reactor, which at the present time includes a design for the nuclear core and steam generator to be located at the same site, with passive safety designs.

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