Westinghouse Electric Company

The story of Westinghouse Electric Company is a narrative of enduring innovation and adaptation, a journey that began in 1886 with the ingenuity of George Westinghouse. What started as a venture to champion alternating current (AC) electricity, fundamentally changing how power was distributed, evolved into a global force in energy and technology. The original Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, later renamed Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1945, became a powerhouse in heavy industry, electrical production, and even consumer electronics. A pivotal moment arrived with the dawn of the nuclear age. As early as 1937, with the Westinghouse Atom Smasher, the company began its foray into nuclear power. This pioneering spirit culminated in 1957 when Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor (PWR) in Shippingport, Pennsylvania, a landmark achievement that laid the foundation for a significant portion of the world's nuclear energy infrastructure.

Over the decades, Westinghouse's technology became the basis for nearly half of the operating nuclear plants worldwide. The company navigated shifts in the industrial landscape, including the sale of various divisions. The current iteration, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, was formed in 1999, focusing specifically on nuclear power after the original corporation divested its industrial businesses and rebranded as CBS Corporation. Despite ownership changes, including acquisitions by British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL), Toshiba, and more recently a partnership between Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco, Westinghouse has maintained its commitment to nuclear innovation. Headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, the company continues to develop advanced reactor designs like the AP1000® and the eVinci™ microreactor, adapting to the evolving global energy needs and the drive for carbon-free power solutions. This journey, from the electrification of America to the forefront of nuclear technology, underscores a legacy of transforming bold ideas into powerful realities, consistently shaping the future of energy for over a century.