Photo from UNIAN
State company Energoatom has supplied the first batch of U.S.-produced nuclear fuel to Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (NPP), according to an NPP’s statement.
"As part of the program aimed at diversifying nuclear fuel [supplies] for the Ukrainian NPPs developed by SE NJSEC Energoatom, the first batch of nuclear fuel produced by Westinghouse has been supplied to Zaporizhia nuclear power plant," according to the statement.
"Representatives of the producer company were present during the acceptance control," the NPP’s press service reported.
It is also noted that loading of the new fuel will be carried out following the approval by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.
"Regulatory approval has to be received to load fuel assemblies from Westinghouse in the active zone of unit No.5, which is scheduled for May 2016," according to the report.
U.S. fuel may also be loaded in power units No.3, No.4, No.1 based on the results of testing.
Read alsoEnergoatom revenue from electricity sales up 42% in 2015As UNIAN reported earlier, as part of measures aimed at diversifying sources of nuclear fuel supplies, Ukraine intends in 2016 to buy one-third of nuclear fuel for its NPPs from Westinghouse, as almost all the fuel purchased in 2015 had been produced in Russia.
Yuzhnoukrainka NPP successfully completed in March of last year the loading of upgraded TVS-WR fuel manufactured by Westinghouse at its power unit No. 3. In April, the unit was connected to the country’s power grid.
In an interview with UNIAN, Westinghouse Chief Danny Roderick said his company is ready to put its fuel in all Ukrainian NPPs.
According to the Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, this year, Ukraine intends to use fuel from Westinghouse in three nuclear power units, out of a total of 15 units.