CONSTRUCTION OF A NUCLEAR FUEL PRODUCTION PLANT IN UKRAINE USING WESTINGHOUSE TECHNOLOGY

Joint-stock company "Kyiv Research and Design Institute "Energoproject" (JSC KIEP) has started development of design documentation, i.e. the feasibility study for construction of a plant for production of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants with VVER-1000 in Ukraine using Westinghouse technology.

The above became possible after the SE “NNEGC “Energoatom” has assigned the SE “Atomenergomash” to be an operating company of the future plant and implementation of top-priority engineering activities performed by JSC KIEP to analyze the construction of such a plant in Ukraine.

Commencement of implementation of the nuclear fuel plant construction is important for Ukraine and evidences availability of an engineering potential in this country capable of performing unique design activities for such a specific production plant classified as a nuclear facility according to nuclear safety requirements. There are not too many competences in engineering complex nuclear facilities in the world, whilst Ukraine is one of those to possess such competences. Even the states that operate several nuclear power plants have to request for specific experience from the foreign companies.

Implementation of the mentioned project by JSC KIEP resolves the problem of diversifying the supply of nuclear fuel for NPPs of Ukraine. Excessive dependence on a single source of nuclear fuel supply is considered as a high risk to security of the state in all countries using the nuclear power. Therefore, implementation of this project will lead to enforcement of the energy security of our state in whole. In addition, development of such high-tech production strengthens the independence of Ukraine's nuclear energy industry.

Taking into account the fact that Russia by its actions has made any purchases from this aggressor state toxic including procurement of nuclear fuel as well as the use of Soviet-design power units both in Ukraine and in the other post-Soviet countries, with high probability it can be stated that the construction of a plant in Ukraine will certainly provide for supply of nuclear fuel for the NPP units with VVERs to such countries as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary where the similar nuclear fuel is used.