The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) (NYSE:BWC) announced today that its B&W mPower™ reactor Integrated System Test (IST) facility has achieved full operating conditions. The IST is the world's only operational, design-specific test facility for a small modular reactor design.

Christofer M. Mowry, President of Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc., said, "Technology validation facilities like the IST are critical to our country's ability to bring an innovative nuclear reactor to market and help meet the growing power generation needs of the U.S. and the world. This facility is an example of American ingenuity at work and demonstrates that a U.S. company can create high-tech jobs at home while producing a product that has worldwide appeal."

The IST is a purpose-built, full-scale facility designed and built to test and evaluate the B&W mPower reactor's design and performance. The reactor is heated electrically in order to simulate the energy generated by a real nuclear core. IST construction started in March of 2010, and it was commissioned in February 2012.

Since its commissioning, the facility has undergone a rigorous start-up test and power ascension program that has now culminated in achieving full reactor operating pressure and temperature conditions for both the primary and secondary systems. The IST has already gathered critical data regarding the B&W mPower integral reactor, with plans to focus on the thermal hydraulic performance of the unique B&W once through steam generator next.

The facility is located at the Center for Advanced Engineering and Research in Bedford County, Va.

About B&W

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., The Babcock & Wilcox Company is a leader in clean energy technology and services, primarily for the nuclear, fossil and renewable power markets, as well as a premier advanced technology and mission critical defense contractor. B&W has locations worldwide and employs approximately 12,700 people, in addition to approximately 10,400 joint venture employees. Learn more at www.babcock.com.