Westinghouse Electric Co. yesterday assigned senior executive Ricardo G. Perez to develop the Monroeville-based company's strategy for capitalizing on anticipated worldwide growth in the nuclear power industry.

Mr. Perez, 49, was named to the newly created position of senior vice president of global growth and innovation. The 27-year Westinghouse veteran had been senior vice president of nuclear services. That position will be filled by Nick Liparulo, 58, currently vice president of engineering services.

"We cannot afford to take a 'wait-and-see' attitude toward the market," said Aris Candris, Westinghouse president and chief executive officer. "We must proactively evaluate every aspect of our organization to ensure that we are prepared to provide a large volume of new plants throughout the world."

Burgeoning interest in nuclear power has energized Westinghouse, increasing its revenue from $900 million in 2000 to about $2.8 billion in its most recent fiscal year. The company employs 10,400 worldwide.

Spokesman Vaughn Gilbert said buyers in more than 40 countries, including the United Kingdom and South Africa, have contacted Westinghouse regarding new nuclear power plants. Some industry observers expect that an additional 200 nuclear plants could be built over the next 20 to 25 years, he said.

Westinghouse won contracts this spring to design and build four nuclear reactors in Georgia and South Carolina, the first domestic projects of their kind since 1978. The Shaw Group will perform the work with Westinghouse, which last year began building four new plants in China.

Mr. Gilbert said Westinghouse's AP1000 reactor has been selected as the technology of choice for about 10 other proposed U.S. plants.