Energoatom, Westinghouse sign new contract for supply of nuclear fuel
The signing ceremony was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the presidential press service reported.
"Zelensky met with Patrick Fragman, President and CEO of U.S. company Westinghouse, the supplier of nuclear fuel to Ukrainian nuclear power plants. In the presence of the president, a new contract was signed between Energoatom and Westinghouse on the supply to Ukraine of fuel for VVER-440 reactors," the report reads.
In addition, the parties signed a letter of intent on the development of cooperation between Westinghouse and Atomenergomash, a subdivision of Energoatom.
According to the President's Office, this document envisages the production of Westinghouse fuel components by Atomenergomash with a market outside Ukraine, an increase in the range of fuel components that can be manufactured by Atomenergomash. The production of equipment for VVER-1000 and/or VVER-440 fuel inspection is also envisaged.
After signing the documents, Zelensky recalled that Ukraine once became the first country in the world to diversify the supply of nuclear fuel for VVER-1000 reactors.
According to him, with the new contract, Ukraine will be one of the first countries to receive alternative fuel for VVER-440 reactors.
He said that the new agreements are a continuation of a fruitful 20-year partnership between Ukraine and the United States to diversify fuel supplies to Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
"This is, first of all, a deepening of the diversification of nuclear fuel supply for our state-owned Energoatom, which currently generates more than half of Ukraine's electricity. Therefore, this agreement is strategic for us," Zelensky said.
In addition, he stressed that he supports contracts and agreements aimed at improving conditions in Ukraine's energy sector, as well as those that will help create new jobs.
Separately, he said that the nuclear industry in Ukraine has enormous potential that should be actively used. He noted that this requires the creation of new facilities and the construction of new power units.
According to the report, the issue concerns, in particular, the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.
"We are already considering the budget for next year. We will talk about the possibility of completing the third and fourth power units," Zelensky said.
Acting President of Energoatom Petro Kotin, in turn, said that the signing of a new contract is an important decision for Ukraine and all countries in Europe that operate VVER-440 units.
"The decision is based on the European Energy Security Strategy and the agreement between the governments of Ukraine and the United States on the Nuclear Fuel Qualification Project for Ukraine," he said.
Westinghouse CEO Patrick Fragman, in turn, said that the presence of the Ukrainian head of state gives a new impetus to the development of nuclear energy, and the company is happy to help with energy security and promote Ukraine's services and products abroad.
U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Ukraine Kristina Kvien said that energy diversification should be the basis of Ukraine's energy security, and today's agreement will be beneficial for Ukraine and the United States.
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