Gloucester-based Hitachi subsidiary Horizon Nuclear Power has appointed a consortium comprising Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe, Bechtel Management Co and the JGC Corporation (UK) to build the £14 billion Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station on Anglesey.

The power station is expected to employ about 8,500 people at the peak of the construction period and almost 1,000 for the 60-plus years of its operating life.

Horizon chief executive Duncan Hawthorne said: “This is an important step in any large, complex infrastructure project, and it adds to Wylfa Newydd’s growing momentum.

“The depth and breadth of expertise of Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe, Bechtel and JGC bring will help us to ensure the timely delivery of our project, which will be vital for meeting the UK’s so-called ‘energy gap’ and boosting the local economy in North Wales.”