Jun 18, 2025
First delivery of Westinghouse nuclear fuel to Dukovany.
The first nuclear fuel assemblies from Westinghouse have been delivered to the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant as the Czech Republic works to diversify its supply sources.
Daniel Beneš, Chairman and CEO of CEZ, stated, "This significantly enhances the energy security of the Czech Republic." He noted that "in addition to diversifying nuclear fuel suppliers, we maintain strategic reserves at both of our nuclear plants."
In 2022, CEZ signed a contract with Westinghouse to supply fuel assemblies for the Temelín nuclear power plant, which includes the Robust Westinghouse Fuel Assembly design, along with a contract with Framatome. The following year, CEZ signed another contract with Westinghouse for Dukovany and has now received its first VVER-440 fuel reload of the NOVA E-6 design.
Eighty of the newly delivered cartridges are currently undergoing acceptance, as the fuel must comply with strict safety standards and receive approval from the national regulator before being loaded into the reactor. This new fuel is designed to accommodate longer operational periods of 16 months at Dukovany and 18 months at Temelín.
Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse's Nuclear Fuel Division, mentioned, "Westinghouse provided VVER-1000 fuel to both Temelín units from 2000 to 2010. As Europe’s largest supplier of VVER fuel, we have invested in advanced fuel designs to enhance energy security in the region. These fuel deliveries reflect our joint commitment to safety, reliability, and supply diversification for VVER reactors. The newly delivered VVER fuel, produced in Västerås, Sweden, is fully compatible with assemblies from other manufacturers, offering improved fuel efficiency and extended cycles."
The Czech Republic obtains approximately one-third of its electricity from two VVER-1000 units at Temelín, which began operations in 2000 and 2002, and four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, operational since 1985 to 1987.
The diversification of nuclear fuel suppliers and increased fuel reserves are viewed as enhancements to energy security among EU countries that previously relied on Russia's TVEL for their VVER reactors, which were designed during the Soviet era.
Daniel Beneš, Chairman and CEO of CEZ, stated, "This significantly enhances the energy security of the Czech Republic." He noted that "in addition to diversifying nuclear fuel suppliers, we maintain strategic reserves at both of our nuclear plants."
In 2022, CEZ signed a contract with Westinghouse to supply fuel assemblies for the Temelín nuclear power plant, which includes the Robust Westinghouse Fuel Assembly design, along with a contract with Framatome. The following year, CEZ signed another contract with Westinghouse for Dukovany and has now received its first VVER-440 fuel reload of the NOVA E-6 design.
Eighty of the newly delivered cartridges are currently undergoing acceptance, as the fuel must comply with strict safety standards and receive approval from the national regulator before being loaded into the reactor. This new fuel is designed to accommodate longer operational periods of 16 months at Dukovany and 18 months at Temelín.
Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse's Nuclear Fuel Division, mentioned, "Westinghouse provided VVER-1000 fuel to both Temelín units from 2000 to 2010. As Europe’s largest supplier of VVER fuel, we have invested in advanced fuel designs to enhance energy security in the region. These fuel deliveries reflect our joint commitment to safety, reliability, and supply diversification for VVER reactors. The newly delivered VVER fuel, produced in Västerås, Sweden, is fully compatible with assemblies from other manufacturers, offering improved fuel efficiency and extended cycles."
The Czech Republic obtains approximately one-third of its electricity from two VVER-1000 units at Temelín, which began operations in 2000 and 2002, and four VVER-440 units at Dukovany, operational since 1985 to 1987.
The diversification of nuclear fuel suppliers and increased fuel reserves are viewed as enhancements to energy security among EU countries that previously relied on Russia's TVEL for their VVER reactors, which were designed during the Soviet era.