The first-ever fuel assemblies (FA) from the American manufacturer Westinghouse have arrived at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant, marking a significant step in the Czech Republic’s efforts to diversify its nuclear fuel supplies, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to euractiv. Earlier, the country’s second nuclear power plant, Temelin, resumed using Westinghouse fuel after a 15-year break.
Daniel Beneš, CEO of ČEZ, emphasized that this move greatly enhances the energy security of the Czech Republic. In addition to diversifying nuclear fuel suppliers, the company also maintains strategic reserves at both of its nuclear power plants.
The new VVER fuel assemblies, manufactured in Västerås, Sweden, are fully compatible with the existing systems at the plant. Currently, about 80 new assemblies are undergoing inspection at Dukovany.
Bogdan Zronek, head of the nuclear energy division at ČEZ, noted that these are high-tech engineering products, so the first step is a thorough inspection. Before loading them into the reactor, it is also necessary to obtain approval from the State Office for Nuclear Safety. The company is currently preparing the application.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, ČEZ began expanding its supplier base in response to the Europe-wide campaign for diversification. That same year, contracts were signed with Westinghouse and the French company Framatome for Temelin. In 2023, Westinghouse was added as a supplier for Dukovany.
Earlier we wrote that IAEA reports new series of explosions at Zaporizhzhia NPP.