Ukraine may use Westinghouse fuel to diversify its supply base

ByRod Adams

The Ukraine operates 15 nuclear power plants, all of them currently supplied with Russian fuel. As reported on September 21, 2007 by the Russian News and Information Agency – RIA Novosti – the Ukrainian National Security Council has sent a draft resolution to the country’s Fuel and Energy Ministry requesting that it begin supplying three of the reactors from a source other than Russia within the next five years.

According to the article, that is equivalent to a directive to purchase fuel from Westinghouse since they are the only current producers outside of Russia that supply VVER fuel. I am certain, however, that there would be other suppliers of PWR fuel that might be interested in bidding for the job. The challenge for them would be to get their modified designs tested and certified in time.

Rod Adams
Rod Adams

Rod Adams is Managing Partner of Nucleation Capital, a venture fund that invests in advanced nuclear, which provides affordable access to this clean energy sector to pronuclear and impact investors. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., which was one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience. He has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology, regulation, and policies for several decades through Atomic Insights, both as its primary blogger and as host of The Atomic Show Podcast. Please click here to subscribe to the Atomic Show RSS feed. To join Rod's pronuclear network and receive his occasional newsletter, click here.

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