Framatome partners with CEZ for European VVER-1000 nuclear fuel development

Framatome partners with CEZ for European VVER-1000 nuclear fuel development
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Oct 03, 2024

Framatome has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CEZ to collaborate on the development of Framatome's own VVER-1000 nuclear fuel. This partnership strengthens their ongoing cooperation, advancing the design of fuel to support the safe and reliable operation of VVER nuclear reactors in the Czech Republic and beyond.

"We are pleased to take another step in the development of a Framatome own-design VVER-1000 fuel design, with a view to ensuring the safe, reliable and uninterrupted operation of the VVER nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic and beyond," said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. "Framatome is the fuel supplier which can guarantee a 100% sovereign European technology, with a fully European design and product, and manufacturing facilities and a fuel component supply chain located and operated in the EU."

Currently, 19 VVER reactors are operational within the European Union, including four 1,000 MW reactors in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, and 15 reactors of 440 MW in the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Given the current international environment, the need for a Framatome-led VVER fuel design has become urgent to ensure supply continuity and reduce reliance on external sources.

"The first key step to strengthen the energy safety of the Czech Republic taken by CEZ Group was ensuring fuel deliveries and increasing the number of fuel suppliers. Another step is the collaboration on the new fuel development with Framatome. CEZ Group has long been focused on enhancing the safety and efficiency of its nuclear power plants, as well as ensuring their operation for at least sixty years. These initiatives are part of our strategy that aligns with our strategic direction," said Bohdan Zronek, Member of the Board and Director of the Nuclear Division of CEZ Group.

Framatome, a global leader in nuclear fuel fabrication, supplies fuel to over 200 reactors worldwide and has been working on its VVER fuel design since 2018. The company operates three nuclear fuel fabrication sites in France, Germany, and the United States. The company's goal is to provide a fully sovereign European nuclear fuel product for VVER reactors, with the cooperation of European VVER utilities.

CEZ, a major energy company in the Czech Republic, is committed to sustainable energy practices and operates two nuclear plants, Dukovany and Temelin, which together generate about one-third of the country's electricity.