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HomeNuclearWestinghouse to supply nuclear fuel also to Dukovany nuclear power plant

Westinghouse to supply nuclear fuel also to Dukovany nuclear power plant

The American company Westinghouse with a production plant in Sweden will also supply nuclear fuel for the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant from 2024, according to Czech utility group ČEZ. Currently, only the Russian company TVEL was the only one in the world producing fuel for that type of reactors and supplying it to Dukovan. After the outbreak of war in Ukraine last year, ČEZ immediately started negotiations to find a new fuel supplier for security reasons. Westinghouse accelerated the development and the contract signed today is the result.

Already last year in May, ČEZ selected new suppliers of nuclear fuel assemblies for the Temelín nuclear power plant. Supplies from the American company Westinghouse and the French company Framatome will also be implemented from 2024. The company Westinghouse has already supplied fuel assemblies to Temelín for ten years after its launch. The second key Czech resource – the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant – is now joining it.

“Securing a western supplier of fuel assemblies for Dukovany is an important step not only for the Czech energy industry but also for the entire Czech Republic. There is a further significant strengthening of energy safety,” commented the Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the ČEZ Group Daniel Beneš.

Westinghouse should deliver the first fuel assemblies for the VVER 440 block to the Czech Republic already next year.

“We are grateful for ČEZ Group’s confidence in Westinghouse and remain fully committed to supporting its policy of supply diversification. We are proud to be the first Western alternative with a proven fuel design for this type of unit,” said Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel.

The Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant currently has a supply of fuel in storage for approximately three years of operation. The NPPS suppose to maintain this reserve even after signing a new contract.

“Thanks to the increase in the number of possible suppliers, we are strengthening our independence and the certainty of the long-term operation of our NPP’s,” added Bohdan Zronek, a member of the board of directors and director of the nuclear energy division.

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