Energoatom could do without fuel from Russia if required

14:09, 21.12.2017 1 min read

The share of Russia's TVEL of fuel supplies for Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) fell from 90-95% to 50% in three years, Ukraine's Energoatom would be able to switch to fuel assemblies of other companies thanks to accumulated stocks if deliveries from Russia are stopped, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk has said.

"If there is a question that Russia will not supply TVEL [fuel] at all, then we have enough arguments and opportunities to provide the nuclear industry [with fuel] from other sources," he said at a press conference to present the results of the year in Kyiv on Thursday.

According to him, now Energoatom is provided with fuel from TVEL and Swedish plant Westinghouse in the ratio of 50 to 50.

"The reserves are more than for a year… This is enough to switch to the fuel of Westinghouse or other suppliers at any time," Nasalyk said.

At the same time, he said that he backs the idea that Energoatom should have at least two suppliers that compete with each other. "We cannot trust one or the other," the minister said.