Ukraine continues to implement its course towards energy independence, gradually abandoning Russian nuclear fuel for its nuclear power plants. Recently, a delegation of Ukrainian nuclear specialists visited the manufacturing facilities of Westinghouse Electric Company in Sweden, where fuel for Ukrainian NPP reactors is produced. The main goal of the trip was to verify the fulfillment of the contract for fuel supply to the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, as well as to strengthen cooperation that opens new opportunities for the development of Ukraine’s nuclear energy according to Western standards.
This is reported by Finway
Abandoning Russian Technologies: A Historic Step for Rivne NPP
The delegation included leading specialists from Rivne NPP, headed by General Director Taras Tkach. A distinctive feature of the Rivne station is the presence of VVER-440 type reactors, for which there had long been no alternative to Russian nuclear fuel. Until 2023, units No. 1 and No. 2 operated exclusively on Russian fuel assemblies. However, even before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine began the process of diversifying its sources of nuclear fuel supply. In September 2020, a contract was signed with the American company Westinghouse Electric Company for the supply of fuel for VVER-440 reactors. By September 2023, the first batch of American fuel was loaded into the reactor of unit No. 2 at Rivne NPP.
“This has become a historic event, as the project to implement American fuel in a VVER-440 reactor unit was realized for the first time in the global nuclear industry. In an extremely short time – just a year and a half – specialists from Westinghouse Electric Company, together with engineers from Energoatom and Rivne NPP, completed work that was originally planned for six to seven years. This is a true engineering feat,” said Taras Tkach, General Director of Rivne NPP.
By 2026, Westinghouse fuel will be used in all units of Rivne NPP, setting a precedent for other nuclear stations in Ukraine.
New Horizons of Cooperation and Strategic Plans for Energy
According to the station’s management, the next important step will be the implementation of an 18-month fuel cycle, which will increase the power output of the units. In the context of electricity shortages, this decision is crucial for the stability of the energy system and meeting the economic needs of the country. During the visit to Sweden, Ukrainian specialists familiarized themselves with the entire production cycle of Westinghouse fuel – from the creation of the fuel matrix to final packaging and preparation for shipment. Currently, joint work is underway on the development of new fuel assemblies designed for longer cycles and increased loads for VVER-1000 units.
In the process of implementing these ambitious plans, Ukrainian nuclear specialists are studying the experience of their European colleagues, who are already transitioning to extended fuel cycles. The difference is that while European stations still use Russian-produced fuel, Rivne NPP plans to fully transition to Western technologies from Westinghouse, demonstrating an example of breaking dependence on Russia in this strategically important sector.