Українські АЕС поетапно переходять на паливо Westinghouse
NAEK “Energoatom” informed “Ukrainian News” of this.
Ukrainian nuclear power plants are gradually switching to nuclear fuel from the American company Westinghouse Electric Company.
Energoatom noted that the process covers all of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, but is taking place gradually. As a result, some power units are currently operating in a mixed mode, using fuel from different manufacturers.
The company emphasises that this mode does not affect the operational safety of the power units, and the full transition to American fuel is ongoing.
The Rivne NPP has become the first plant in Ukraine where Westinghouse Electric Company fuel is used either partially or entirely across all power units.
Taras Tkach, Director of the Rivne NPP, stated that the next stage of the plant’s cooperation with Westinghouse is set to be the transition to an 18-month fuel cycle. According to him, this will improve the efficiency of the power units.
At the South Ukraine NPP, power unit No. 3 has switched entirely to Westinghouse fuel.
According to Energoatom, trials of American fuel at this plant began as early as 2005. The experience gained subsequently formed the basis for extending this approach to other Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
At the Khmelnytskyi NPP, the switch to American fuel is also in an active phase.
Energoatom noted that the plant’s power units are currently partially or fully loaded with Westinghouse Electric Company fuel. The replacement of fuel assemblies is taking place gradually, in accordance with technological cycles.
“This is a gradual process; the fuel in the reactor core is being replaced in stages, approximately a quarter at a time after the completion of each fuel cycle. Therefore, not all power units are being addressed simultaneously,” said Andriy Kozura, Director of the Khmelnytskyi NPP.
The company also noted that the transition to American technology is part of a broader transformation of the nuclear industry.
In particular, in 2025, the Ukrainian company “Atomenergomash” received certification from Westinghouse Electric Company as a supplier of nuclear fuel components.
Furthermore, in March this year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the construction in Ukraine of a plant to produce fuel assemblies for nuclear power plants.
This should enable part of nuclear fuel production to be localised in Ukraine.
As reported by ThePublic, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the construction of a nuclear fuel production complex for nuclear power plants.
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