Energoatom dismisses as "unfounded" media claims regarding "closed-doors" discussions of the TVEL deal and the "lack of information" regarding its conclusion.
Reproaches spun by certain media outlets regarding the negative consequences for Ukraine’s energy security arising from Energoatom entering into an allegedly "secret" agreement on nuclear fuel supplies with Russia's TVEL are unfounded, according to the Ukrainian state-owned company's press release.
It should be recalled that the fuel provided by the U.S.-based Westinghouse (as part of supply diversification policy) is already used at six power units of Ukrainian NPPs, and after 2021 it will be put in seven of 13 Ukrainian units with VVER-1000 reactors.
Energoatom declared that the company had informed of an additional agreement with TVEL, concluded in September this year, both the Ukrainian authorities and U.S. government officials and U.S. energy industry representatives, with whom the relevant meetings were held.
In particular, it was the delegation of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) headed by Commissioner Stephen Burns, Director of the Ukraine Office of the U.S. Department of Energy Heather Bell, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Deputy Head of the U.S. Department of Energy Edward McGinnis.
"There have been no comments on the conclusion of an additional agreement on the part of the American side," Energoatom notes.
The press release separately notes that the claims published in media regarding an allegedly closed-doors discussion of the agreement with TVEL and the lack of information regarding its conclusion are unfounded. Energoatom draws attention to the fact that the relevant government meeting was held behind closed doors due to the fact that contract papers included confidential information regarding nuclear fuel supplies from TVEL and Westinghouse.
Energoatom draws media attention to the fact that the reason for signing an additional agreement with TVEL was the expansion of supplies to Ukrainian NPPs of nuclear fuel produced by Westinghouse, and therefore the terms of the document provide for a reduction in the supply of Russian fuel. The company emphasizes that the agreement with the Russian supplier provides for terminating by 2025, rather than extending the period of supplies of Russian fuel as well as improving the price conditions for Energoatom.
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“Recently, Energoatom has created all possible conditions for reliable and stable provision of NPPs with nuclear fuel. In particular, real diversification of nuclear fuel supplies to Ukrainian NPPs has been introduced by significantly increasing the number of VVER-1000 power units using Westinghouse fuel – more than half of the VVER-1000 reactor fleet in Ukraine starting 2021. A condition on fuel supply for all 13 VVER-1000 power units within 12 months from the time the need arose (from the date of order placement) was included in the contract with Westinghouse. A stock of nuclear fuel has been created in an amount that ensures smooth operation of Ukrainian NPPs for more than one year.
"Thanks to these measures, the risk of a shortage of nuclear fuel in the event of force majeure or unfriendly actions on the part of the Russian Federation is now completely excluded," the press release says.
In conclusion, Energoatom reminds that the goal of real diversification of energy source supplies is to avoid dependence on any monopoly.