Ukrainian uranium will be used in the production of nuclear fuel in Canada – Energoatom
Energoatom believes that this will mean a stable supply of electricity for Ukrainian citizens.
NNEGC “Energoatom” signed an agreement with the Canadian company CAMESO, which was the last necessary stage for the implementation of the program for the use of Ukrainian uranium in the production of nuclear fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
According to the press service of the company, we are talking about the “Agreement for weighing, sampling, analysis, storage and organization of transportation of uranium concentrate” (UOK) produced by SE VostGOK, which was signed on April 11, 2023 in Canada by Energoatom President Petr Kotin and CAMECO President and CEO Tim Gitzel.
The document regulates the physical delivery of UOK from Ukraine to Canada and related conditions. In particular, the contract provides for the supply of the entire volume of uranium mined at VostGOK to Canada and the further use of the uranium concentrate for conversion and supply of natural uranium hexafluoride (UF6) for enrichment.
“This is a landmark event for the Ukrainian nuclear industry, it guarantees its stability and, as a result, a stable supply of electricity to citizens,” Kotin’s press service quotes.
Ukraine and nuclear fuel
In March, Energoatom and Cameco signed agreements on the use of Ukrainian uranium in the production of nuclear fuel for all Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
According to the agreements, Energoatom will be fully provided with natural uranium hexafluoride during 2024-2035, which will be supplied for enrichment and further use in the production of nuclear fuel.
On March 17, 2023, Energy Minister German Galushchenko announced that Ukraine would produce nuclear fuel that could replace Russian fuel, including on the European market.
In 2023, it is planned to complete the licensing and enter the commercial production of shanks, and in 2024, the industrial production of heads for fuel assemblies. These components will be used for the production of nuclear fuel for the needs of Energoatom at the Westinghouse plant in Västerås, Sweden.