Westinghouse - the US reactor designer, has shortlisted two consortia for the contract of building its nuclear power station in the UK.

The consortia rumoured to be in talks are Shaw Group, in conjunction with Laing O'Rouke and Fluor, as well as Costain/Sir Robert McAlpine/Hochtief joint venture.

The big eletricity utilities have yet to decide whether to use the westinghouse AP1000 or rival Areva EPR model. But RWE is said to be in advanced talks with the US firm.

Westinghouse is confident that its modular reactor design brings greater certainty over out-turn costs because much of the design is built for assembly on site.

It is estimated that the scheme could create more than 9,000 construction jobs.