Russian nuclear fuel company Tvel and Czech national power company ČEZ have signed a contract for the introduction of new RK 3+ fuel at the Dukovany nuclear power station.
According to Tvel, the fuel is a modified version of existing VVER-440 fuel.
The fuel will undergo a number of pre-irradiation tests, the results of which will be used as part of a licence application to use the fuel at Dukovany.
According to Tvel, the fuel is a modified version of existing VVER-440 fuel.
The fuel will undergo a number of pre-irradiation tests, the results of which will be used as part of a licence application to use the fuel at Dukovany.
Tvel said the Czech regulator will also consider operational experience using a prototype of the fuel at Unit 4 of the Kola nuclear power station in northwest Russia.
Kola-4 is the same type of VVER V-213 plant as Dokovany and Tvel said the fuel has been used there successfully since 2010.
Alexander Ugryumov, vice-president for research and development at Tvel, said the new fuel will “improve Dukovany’s fuel cycle strategy, safety and economic efficiency”.
The Dukovany nuclear station has four VVER V-213 units which began commercial operation between May 1985 and July 1987.
Tvel said the station generates about 13 billion kWh of electricity a year, providing approximately 20% of power consumed in the Czech Republic.
