On November 29, 2023, within the framework of participation in the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE), Petro Kotin, President of SE "NNEGC "Energoatom", spoke at a panel session on the security of supply and advanced reactors in the current challenging environment.
The Head of the Company shared the experience of breaking the russian monopoly in the nuclear fuel market with the nuclear industry leaders.
"We destroyed the russian monopoly on the supply of fuel for VVER-1000 and VVER-440 reactors. This year, Westinghouse nuclear fuel was loaded into the RNPP VVER-440 reactor for the first time," Petro Kotin said.
According to President of Energoatom, the next stage of pushing russia out is setting up the Company's production of components of fuel assemblies, which should begin in 2024.
"In three years, we also plan to develop our own line for nuclear fuel manufacture, which will cover 50% of fuel needs of Ukrainian NPPs. Westinghouse will cover the other half," he said.
Additionally, Energoatom ceased exporting spent nuclear fuel to russia. This became possible due to the construction of the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility in Chornobyl, which allows saving about 200 million dollars annually.
While summing up, Petro Kotin highlighted, "Ukraine's example proves that overcoming energy dependence on russia is an entirely real and feasible task. Ukraine and Energoatom are ready to share experience and give every assistance to other European countries."
He called on the international community to take practical steps to reduce russia's nuclear profits, which are being spent on the war against Ukraine, nuclear terrorism at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP, and the daily killing of Ukrainians.
