Imagine you have a car that only takes a specific brand of fuel, but the only gas station selling it is in a country you can no longer trade with. This project creates a new, Western-made version of that fuel so the engines can keep running safely. It's like finding a new recipe for the same fuel so the power plants don't have to shut down.
European and Ukrainian VVER-440 reactors rely on Russian fuel designs, creating a critical energy security risk. There is an urgent need for Western-manufactured fuel that meets strict safety and licensing standards.
A Western-designed fuel for VVER-440 reactors and a harmonized licensing process. This includes the re-establishment of manufacturing capacity at the Westinghouse Sweden factory.
If you are a power plant operator dealing with a lack of fuel sources due to geopolitical tensions — this project developed a Western fuel design that ensures energy security and allows plants to continue operating without relying on Russian supplies.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with outdated production codes for VVER designs — this project re-established manufacturing capabilities and licensing analysis methods that allow for the production of compatible fuel reloads.
If you are a regulator dealing with inconsistent safety standards for imported fuel — this project developed a harmonized approach for VVER fuel licensing to speed up the approval process for new fuel types.
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not mentioned, but the project aims to introduce a fuel design with improved economics for European plants.
Yes, manufacturing capacity was proven through the production of two reloads for the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, where units 1 and 2 are currently operating with Swedish-manufactured fuel.
The project focuses on a harmonized licensing approach involving cooperation between regulators, power plants, and the fuel supplier to ensure efficient approval of Western fuel designs.
The project period is from 2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31, with emergent fuel designs already delivered to Ukrainian plants in 2023.
Yes, the fuel is specifically designed for Russian-designed VVER-440 reactors to ensure a secure supply without requiring reactor redesign.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven, with 9 industrial partners representing 75% of the 12 total members. Led by Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB, the group spans 8 countries, combining the practical manufacturing power of industry with the oversight of 1 university and 2 research centers to ensure both commercial viability and safety compliance.
Contact Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB regarding VVER-440 fuel supply
Contact us to find compatible fuel licensing partners for your nuclear assets.
