Westinghouse
An international nuclear-energy technology and services company best known for the AP1000 pressurized-water reactor.
Last updated October 6, 2026
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Overview
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC is a nuclear-energy technology, equipment, fuel, and services company headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. The present company began operations in 1999 after British Nuclear Fuels Limited acquired the nuclear business that remained after the original Westinghouse Electric Corporation had divested most of its industrial operations and repositioned itself around media and broadcasting. It therefore shares a name and trademark history with the nineteenth-century company founded by George Westinghouse, but it is a distinct modern nuclear business rather than the original diversified electrical manufacturer. Westinghouse supplies nuclear utilities and reactor operators with reactor designs, nuclear fuel, engineering, instrumentation and control systems, maintenance, inspection, component replacement, plant modernization, and other lifecycle services. Its portfolio covers both new-build projects and the existing global reactor fleet. The company has also expanded through acquisitions in nuclear engineering, manufacturing, inspection, automation, fuel, and plant services, giving it a business mix that extends beyond reactor sales. The company’s best-known offering is the AP1000, a Generation III+ pressurized-water reactor. The design uses passive safety systems that are intended to operate with limited reliance on operator action or active pumps, as well as modular construction methods intended to improve construction efficiency. The AP1000 received final design approval from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2004. Units have been built or operated in China, the United States, and other markets, although the first U.S. deployments at Vogtle and the abandoned V.C. Summer expansion experienced major schedule delays and cost overruns. Westinghouse’s corporate history includes several changes of ownership. BNFL acquired the business from the former CBS Corporation in 1999, and BNFL combined it with other nuclear assets, including ABB’s nuclear activities. Toshiba acquired Westinghouse in 2006, initially holding a controlling interest alongside The Shaw Group and Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries. Toshiba later increased its ownership. Problems associated with the U.S. AP1000 construction projects, together with accounting and valuation issues within Toshiba, led Westinghouse to seek Chapter 11 protection in 2017. The company emerged after its holding company was acquired by Brookfield Business Partners in 2018. In 2022, Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco announced an agreement to acquire Westinghouse from Brookfield Business Partners. The transaction, valued at approximately US$7.9 billion including debt according to the cited reference material, was completed in 2023. Brookfield Renewable and institutional partners became the majority owners, while Cameco acquired a substantial minority interest. Westinghouse remains a major supplier to the global civil nuclear industry, with activities spanning reactor deployment, fuel supply, operating-plant support, digital controls, engineering, and advanced reactor development.
History
George Westinghouse established the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1886, building on his earlier work in railway air brakes and mechanical inventions. The company entered electrical manufacturing at a time when the United States was developing competing systems for electric lighting and power distribution. Westinghouse promoted alternating current as a practical means of transmitting electricity over long distances, while Thomas Edison and associated companies favored direct current. The conflict was commercial as well as technical, and Westinghouse’s acquisition of rights to Nikola Tesla’s polyphase alternating-current patents strengthened its position. Westinghouse equipment played a major role in the 1890s expansion of alternating-current infrastructure. The company supplied generating and transmission equipment for the Niagara Falls power project, an important demonstration that electricity could be generated at scale and transmitted to distant users. Its products subsequently included generators, motors, transformers, switchgear, turbines, railway equipment, and industrial systems. The company changed its corporate form and name over time, becoming Westinghouse Electric Corporation in the early twentieth century. As the electrical industry matured, Westinghouse developed into a broad industrial conglomerate. It manufactured power-generation and transmission equipment, appliances, transportation systems, industrial controls, and electronics. It also entered broadcasting and television, creating a second major business platform alongside industrial technology. Westinghouse’s nuclear-energy activities expanded after the Second World War. The company developed pressurized-water-reactor technology for commercial power generation, and its reactor designs became part of the international nuclear-power market. The company’s diversification continued through much of the twentieth century, but the group later faced pressure from changing industrial conditions, financial obligations, and an increasingly complex portfolio. It sold or spun off a number of traditional manufacturing operations. In 1995, Westinghouse acquired CBS, a major American broadcasting and media company. The transaction was followed by a strategic shift away from heavy industrial manufacturing. In 1997, the corporate parent adopted the CBS name, effectively ending Westinghouse Electric Corporation as the operating identity of the diversified public conglomerate. The Westinghouse nuclear business continued separately. British Nuclear Fuels acquired the nuclear operations and then sold them in 2006 to a consortium led by Toshiba. The successor Westinghouse Electric Company retained the Westinghouse nuclear brand and pursued international reactor projects, including the AP1000 design. Construction problems, schedule delays, and cost escalation at projects in Georgia and South Carolina placed severe financial pressure on the business. In 2017, the Toshiba-owned company sought Chapter 11 protection in the United States. It later emerged under new ownership, but it was a successor enterprise rather than the original Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The Westinghouse name has also continued through licensed consumer products and other successor businesses. These operations should not be treated as a single uninterrupted corporation. The historical brand’s significance rests on its role in alternating-current electrification, large-scale power engineering, nuclear technology, and the evolution of American industrial conglomerates.
- 2017
Westinghouse nuclear successor files for Chapter 11
[6]The Toshiba-owned nuclear company sought bankruptcy protection amid major cost and schedule problems on AP1000 projects.
- 2006
Toshiba-led consortium acquires nuclear business
[2]The Westinghouse nuclear business was sold by British Nuclear Fuels to a Toshiba-led investor group.
- 1997
Westinghouse name replaced by CBS Corporation
[1]The corporate parent adopted the CBS name as media became its dominant strategic business.
- 1995
CBS acquisition completed
[1]Westinghouse completed its purchase of CBS, changing the strategic direction of the group.
- 1957
First commercial pressurized-water reactor enters service
[5]The Shippingport Atomic Power Station, using technology associated with Westinghouse, became an early landmark in commercial nuclear power in the United States.
- 1945
Corporate name becomes Westinghouse Electric Corporation
[1]The business adopted the corporate identity by which it became widely known during the postwar industrial era.
- 1909
Corporate name becomes Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company
[1]The company adopted a name reflecting its expanding manufacturing and electrical-equipment activities.
- 1895
Niagara Falls power project begins operation
[7]Westinghouse supplied important alternating-current generating equipment for the Niagara Falls hydroelectric development.
- 1888
Tesla alternating-current patents enter Westinghouse’s portfolio
[4]Westinghouse obtained rights associated with Nikola Tesla’s polyphase alternating-current inventions, strengthening its position in AC power systems.
- 1886
Westinghouse Electric founded
[1]George Westinghouse founded the electrical company that became the basis of the Westinghouse industrial group.
Products and positioning
Historically positioned as an engineering-led American technology company serving electricity generation, transmission, industrial infrastructure, nuclear power, consumer appliances, and communications. Its brand heritage is strongly associated with alternating-current electrification and large-scale power systems.
Electrical infrastructure · 1886
Alternating-current power systems
Westinghouse manufactured and integrated generators, transformers, motors, switchgear, and related equipment for alternating-current generation and distribution. Its commercial work helped establish AC as the dominant architecture for long-distance electric-power networks.
Power-generation equipment
Hydroelectric and steam power equipment
The company supplied turbines, generators, and associated systems for hydroelectric and thermal power stations. Its equipment supported large utility projects and helped make Westinghouse a major supplier to electric utilities.
Nuclear technology · 1957
Westinghouse pressurized-water reactors
Westinghouse developed pressurized-water-reactor technology for commercial nuclear power. The technology became an important part of the company’s international nuclear business and later formed the basis of the AP1000 reactor platform operated by successor companies.
Consumer appliances
Household appliances
Westinghouse produced household electrical appliances, including major and small appliances, during its period as a diversified American manufacturer. Appliance activities were later separated from the original corporate group and the name continued in some markets through licensing.
Media and communications
Broadcasting and television operations
Westinghouse owned radio and television stations and expanded into network broadcasting. These assets helped lead the company toward its 1995 acquisition of CBS and the subsequent replacement of the Westinghouse corporate identity by CBS.
Transportation systems
Railway and transportation electrical equipment
The company supplied electrical systems and equipment for railways and other transportation applications, extending its engineering expertise beyond stationary power generation.
Controversies
2017
AP1000 project cost overruns and bankruptcy
The Toshiba-owned Westinghouse nuclear successor entered bankruptcy protection after severe cost overruns and delays at AP1000 reactor projects in the United States. The episode contributed to Toshiba’s financial crisis and became a prominent example of execution risk in large nuclear construction projects.
Brand decisions
2017
Seek Chapter 11 protection for the nuclear successorOtherBackground
Construction delays and cost escalation at AP1000 projects placed the Toshiba-owned Westinghouse nuclear business under substantial financial pressure.
Action taken
Westinghouse Electric Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States.
Aftermath
The filing intensified Toshiba’s financial difficulties and led to further restructuring and a change in ownership of the nuclear business.
2006
Sell the nuclear business to a Toshiba-led groupM&ABackground
The nuclear division had become one of the most distinctive remaining parts of the Westinghouse industrial portfolio after extensive corporate restructuring.
Action taken
British Nuclear Fuels sold Westinghouse to a consortium led by Toshiba.
Aftermath
The nuclear brand and reactor technology continued under a separate Westinghouse Electric Company, no longer under the original American corporate group.
1997
Replace the Westinghouse corporate identity with CBSStrategyBackground
After the CBS acquisition, broadcasting and media had become strategically more important than the group’s historic industrial operations.
Action taken
The parent company changed its name to CBS Corporation.
Aftermath
The original Westinghouse Electric Corporation ceased to operate as the name of the diversified public parent, although the brand remained attached to nuclear, appliance, and other successor businesses.
1995
Acquire CBSM&ABackground
Westinghouse sought to expand its broadcasting interests and reposition the group as traditional industrial manufacturing became less central to its strategy.
Action taken
Westinghouse completed the acquisition of CBS and integrated the media company into the corporate group.
Aftermath
The transaction accelerated the company’s transformation into a media-focused business and preceded the adoption of the CBS corporate name.
Recent events
- 2023
Brookfield Renewable and Cameco complete Westinghouse acquisition[2]
M&A
The ownership transaction announced in 2022 was completed, making Brookfield Renewable and institutional partners the majority owners and Cameco a major minority owner.
- 2022
Brookfield Renewable and Cameco announce Westinghouse acquisition[2]
M&A
Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco announced a transaction to acquire Westinghouse from Brookfield Business Partners, with ownership divided between a Brookfield-led group and Cameco.
- 2018
Brookfield Business Partners acquires Westinghouse[2]
M&A
Brookfield Business Partners and partners completed the acquisition of Westinghouse’s holding company after the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.
- 2017
Westinghouse files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[2]
Bankruptcy · Other
Westinghouse filed for Chapter 11 protection, citing losses and cost overruns related primarily to AP1000 construction projects in Georgia and South Carolina.
- 2017
V.C. Summer nuclear expansion is terminated[2]
Other
The co-owners of the South Carolina project abandoned the planned AP1000 expansion after substantial delays and cost escalation.
- 2006
Toshiba acquires Westinghouse nuclear business[2]
M&A
Toshiba-led investors acquired Westinghouse’s nuclear business from British Nuclear Fuels, giving Toshiba control of a major global nuclear-reactor technology platform.
- 2006
Toshiba completes acquisition of Westinghouse[2]
M&A
Toshiba completed its purchase of Westinghouse from BNFL, acquiring a controlling interest with minority participation from other investors.
- 1998
Commercial nuclear business sold to BNFL[1]
M&A
CBS sold its commercial nuclear power activities to British Nuclear Fuels Limited, which reorganized the operation as Westinghouse Electric Company.
- 1997
Westinghouse adopts the CBS corporate identity[1]
Other
After moving its strategic focus toward broadcasting and media, Westinghouse changed its corporate name to CBS Corporation, while retaining or disposing of industrial operations through separate transactions.
- 1997
Westinghouse changes its name to CBS Corporation[1]
Other
After selling much of its industrial portfolio, Westinghouse adopted the CBS Corporation name.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources14 sources
- 1Westinghouse Electric Corporationen.wikipedia.org
- 2Westinghouse Electric Companyen.wikipedia.org
- 3George Westinghouseen.wikipedia.org
- 4War of the currentsen.wikipedia.org
- 5Shippingport Atomic Power Stationen.wikipedia.org
- 6Toshiba’s Westinghouse files for bankruptcy protectionreuters.com
- 7Niagara Falls power project begins operationen.wikipedia.org
- 8西屋电气冠名赞助旅美科协2019全球创新峰会sh.zol.com.cn
- 9Westinghouse Acquires Unparalleled Industry Safety Systemprnewswire.com
- 10Westinghouse Electric Company: Westinghouse Signs Strategic Partnerships in Poland to Build Country's First AP1000 Nuclear Plantfinanznachrichten.de
- 11Westinghouse Electric Company: Westinghouse Signs Strategic Partnerships with Czech Firms to Build AP1000 Reactors at Dukovany Nuclear Sitefinanznachrichten.de
- 12Westinghouse Partners With Dominion Energy To Modernize East Coast Power Stationprnewswire.com
- 13Westinghouse Partners with Exelon Generation to Digitize Pennsylvania Plantprnewswire.com
- 14Westinghouse Partners With Nordion To Increase Future Supply Of Life-Saving Cobalt-60prnewswire.com
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