After recent readers' letters, we wanted to provide an update on the potential for a new nuclear power station near Oldbury-on-Severn.

Our company, Horizon, was acquired by Hitachi Ltd in November last year and we're now working on our plans for the future. Our aim is to develop two or three reactors at each of our sites, first at Wylfa on Anglesey and then near Oldbury-on-Severn.

This is a multi-billion pound programme which would provide low-carbon power for millions of homes and businesses, helping meet the huge challenge of replacing the country's old power stations which are closing down.

The design we're proposing is the most advanced nuclear technology in operation anywhere in the world and has already received licences abroad, including in the USA.

Of course, safety is, and will always be, our first concern. The civil nuclear industry is among the most highly regulated sectors in the UK, with operations strictly monitored to ensure all nuclear plants are built and operated to the highest safety levels.

Before a green light is given for a power station near Oldbury, the 'generic' design of the reactor will be assessed by the UK nuclear regulator and then specific proposals for the site will be scrutinised in detail. We'll need to demonstrate that the power station will remain safe in all extreme events like floods and earthquakes of the sort that take place once every 10,000 years, as well as man-made threats. Despite the very different geological circumstances in Japan, and the advances in technology, we will make sure that any and all lessons to be learned from the events at Fukushima are incorporated into our plans from the very beginning. This includes the requirements of the Chief Nuclear Inspector's report into that event, which have to be satisfied for all new and existing nuclear power stations in the UK.

Our projects will each create up to 6,000 jobs during construction and up to 1,000 during operation. Many more indirect jobs will also be created as investment flows through to the local companies who can provide goods and services – from specialist component manufacturers to builders to caterers. As our plans develop, we will work with the Government and local authorities to maximise job and career opportunities across the region.

Finally, this project will not go ahead without several rounds, over several years, of meetings and formal consultations with local people to make sure communities on both sides of the Severn understand what is planned and can have their say. We're still working on the timescales for a power station in South Gloucestershire, but we expect to have more information this year. We'll be announcing the dates and venues for informal information events soon.

In the meantime, for queries on any topic we'd invite people to call our Freephone number 0800 130 3125, or email us at [email protected]">[email protected].

– John Gilbert, head of commercial development for Horizon Nuclear Power.