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Released January 09, 2015 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) - Westinghouse Electric Company (Monroeville, Pennsylvania) has sealed a deal 'to significantly increase' nuclear fuel supplies to Ukrainian nuclear power plants until the end of the decade.
The increase in fuel supply with state-owned energy utility, National Nuclear Energy Generating Company of Ukraine (Energoatom), will offer "diversification and security of nuclear fuel supplies for Ukraine's reactor fleet", Westinghouse claimed, although Russian government agencies have attacked the deal by alleging it would pose a safety risk.
The deal is designed to help Ukraine lower its need for Russian energy at a time when both countries are in conflict over Russia's military support for rebels in Ukraine's Crimea region.
"[Ukraine is] is gradually moving from dependence on Russia towards energy independence," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine's Prime Minister.
"This most recent agreement with Energoatom provides for the continuation of the long-standing partnership between our two companies in providing competitive and secure nuclear fuel supplies for Ukraine's reactor fleet," commented Yves Brachet, Westinghouse president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We expect that with continued superior results and competitive efficiency of our fuel design, Westinghouse will continue to grow its share of the Ukrainian nuclear fuel market." Westinghouse stressed that its fuel is currently operating "safely and efficiently" at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) without "any defects in performance". The additional fuel and components will be manufactured at its facilities in the U.S. and Europe.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed to be alarmed by the new contracts and said that Westinghouse has been trying for years to establish a foothold in the supply of fuel for Russian-made VVER-1000 nuclear reactors.
"Of particular concern is the fact that all this is happening against the backdrop of an unstable situation in Ukraine, in an environment where political engagement takes precedence over the requirements of nuclear safety, and the country's ability to respond to emergencies is severely limited," it added. "It seems that the authorities in Kiev have not learned the lessons of the Chernobyl tragedy about a responsible and science-based approach to the use of nuclear energy."
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRCU) denied Russia's allegations. "The introduction of new modifications of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants in Ukraine follow the clearly regulated legal requirements for nuclear and radiation safety. The trial operation of Westinghouse fuel at Until 3 of South Ukrainian NPP was carried out without any problems".
This is the latest in a run of nuclear-related issues in Ukraine. Earlier this week, Industrial Info reported on the automatic shutdown of a unit at the Zaporizhia NPP due to generator problems. For additional information, see January 6, 2015, article - Ukraine Shuts Another Nuclear Reactor.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and nine international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.
The increase in fuel supply with state-owned energy utility, National Nuclear Energy Generating Company of Ukraine (Energoatom), will offer "diversification and security of nuclear fuel supplies for Ukraine's reactor fleet", Westinghouse claimed, although Russian government agencies have attacked the deal by alleging it would pose a safety risk.
The deal is designed to help Ukraine lower its need for Russian energy at a time when both countries are in conflict over Russia's military support for rebels in Ukraine's Crimea region.
"[Ukraine is] is gradually moving from dependence on Russia towards energy independence," said Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine's Prime Minister.
"This most recent agreement with Energoatom provides for the continuation of the long-standing partnership between our two companies in providing competitive and secure nuclear fuel supplies for Ukraine's reactor fleet," commented Yves Brachet, Westinghouse president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We expect that with continued superior results and competitive efficiency of our fuel design, Westinghouse will continue to grow its share of the Ukrainian nuclear fuel market." Westinghouse stressed that its fuel is currently operating "safely and efficiently" at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) without "any defects in performance". The additional fuel and components will be manufactured at its facilities in the U.S. and Europe.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed to be alarmed by the new contracts and said that Westinghouse has been trying for years to establish a foothold in the supply of fuel for Russian-made VVER-1000 nuclear reactors.
"Of particular concern is the fact that all this is happening against the backdrop of an unstable situation in Ukraine, in an environment where political engagement takes precedence over the requirements of nuclear safety, and the country's ability to respond to emergencies is severely limited," it added. "It seems that the authorities in Kiev have not learned the lessons of the Chernobyl tragedy about a responsible and science-based approach to the use of nuclear energy."
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRCU) denied Russia's allegations. "The introduction of new modifications of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants in Ukraine follow the clearly regulated legal requirements for nuclear and radiation safety. The trial operation of Westinghouse fuel at Until 3 of South Ukrainian NPP was carried out without any problems".
This is the latest in a run of nuclear-related issues in Ukraine. Earlier this week, Industrial Info reported on the automatic shutdown of a unit at the Zaporizhia NPP due to generator problems. For additional information, see January 6, 2015, article - Ukraine Shuts Another Nuclear Reactor.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and nine international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.
