Westinghouse Opens AP1000 Training Academy in Madrid for European Nuclear Fleet Expansion

New AP1000 Training Academy Launched in Madrid

Westinghouse Electric Company has officially opened a new AP1000 Training Academy in Madrid, Spain, on February 17, 2026. This state-of-the-art facility houses Europe's first full-sized replica of an AP1000 control room, designed to prepare operators for the expanding European nuclear fleet.

The academy's primary function is to provide comprehensive training for future control room operators of AP1000 units. The advanced simulator allows for the practice of all plant procedures, ranging from startup and shutdown to managing malfunctions and component failures. It also facilitates the certification of operators and supports system development and testing.

Strategic Location for European Nuclear Growth

The decision to establish the training center in Madrid is strategic, despite Spain's current policy to phase out nuclear power. According to Luca Oriani, President of APX at Westinghouse Electric, Madrid's selection was influenced by Spain's six decades of collaboration with Westinghouse and the capital's international connectivity, which simplifies the arrival of experts globally.

This Madrid-based academy is envisioned to serve as the central European training hub for future AP1000 plants. Training for control room operators typically commences approximately five years before a plant becomes operational, ensuring a deep pool of qualified personnel for continuous 24/7 operation.

Preparing for a Growing European AP1000 Fleet

The opening of the academy comes as Westinghouse prepares for the construction of 14 or more AP1000 units across Europe in the coming years. Current contracts include:

• Ukraine: Nine AP1000 units
• Poland: Three AP1000 units
• Bulgaria: Two AP1000 units

Westinghouse is also actively pursuing opportunities in other European countries, having signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with companies in Poland and the Czech Republic for potential AP1000 projects. The AP1000 is a Generation III+ pressurized water reactor (PWR), known for its passive safety systems and modular construction, with a gross electrical power of approximately 1,150 MWe. Globally, four AP1000 units are operational in China and two in the USA, with 14 more under construction and five additional units under contract.