14:59 10.07.2017

Nuclear fuel inspectorate approves use of Westinghouse fuel at two more reactors of Zaporizhia NPP

2 min read
Nuclear fuel inspectorate approves use of Westinghouse fuel at two more reactors of Zaporizhia NPP

The State Nuclear Regulation Inspectorate of Ukraine has permitted loading of Westinghouse nuclear fuel to active zones of reactor one and reactor four of Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (NPP).

The regulator said that the approval was given after seeing positive results of the state examination of nuclear and radiation safety of the materials.

Westinghouse nuclear fuel is used in mixed active zones of reactor two and reactor three of Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP, reactor five of Zaporizhia NPP, and reactor three of Zaporizhia NPP is preparing for loading fuel.

As reported, in order to diversify sources of nuclear fuel supply for the country's NPPs, Energoatom jointly with Westinghouse in 2000 launched the project for the qualification of this company's fuel. In March 2008 Energoatom and Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB (Sweden) signed a commercial contract to ship fresh fuel to three or six reactors of Ukrainian NPPs in 2011-2015. In April 2014, the sides prolonged the contract until 2020.

Late April 2016, Westinghouse announced expansion of the expansion of its factory in Vasteras (Sweden) to ensure growing supplies of fuel for VVER-1000 type reactors to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.

Energoatom operates all four active NPPs in Ukraine. It runs 15 power units equipped with pressurized water reactors with a total installed capacity of 13.835 gigawatts.

AD
AD
AD
AD
AD