Ivan Andriyevsky, a managing partner of 2K Audit – Delovye Konsultatsii NKG:

 — The Czech Republic and Finland have already refused from supplies of the American company and come back to the cooperation with TVEL.

Temelin, the largest NPP in the Czech Republic, is starting to use Russian nuclear fuel. The operation of its first power unit will be stopped for two months in order to perform necessary engineering works. Then, this procedure will be carried out at the second power unit. TVEL LLC, a Russian company, will supply the nuclear fuel. It will be the sole fuel supplier for Czech and Sloval NPP. The Russian raw material appeared to have a higher quality than its analogue supplied by Westinghouse (USA). Moreover, its usage will allow reducing the expenses for operation of national NPP constructed with the assistance of the USSR, and then Russia. The contract for supply of the Russian fuel to Temelin NPP is supposed to be concluded for ten years with the option of its further prolongation. It is expected to supply about 400 tons of fuel is for ten years. At present, the Russian nuclear fuel provides for operation of the Czech Dukovany NPP and Slovak Yaslovske-Bogunitse and Mokhovtse NPP.

Ivan Andriyevsky, a managing partner of 2K Audit – Delovye Konsultatsii NKG:

«The problems faced by the European NPP which used the products supplied by Westinghouse, became the best advertizing of the Russian nuclear fuel. The Czech Republic and Finland have already refused from supplies of the American company and come back to the cooperation with TVEL. Westinghouse’s attempts to come to the Bulgarian market failed, as in 2010 Bulgarian specialists stated that Westinghouse fuel does not suit for the local reactors. However it shall be noted that initially Westinghouse has more difficulties to build its business in the Eastern and Central Europe. The American company shall carry out additional tests of the nuclear fuel. Besides the technical difficulties it involves additional expenses which increase its cost as well.

As opposed to Westinghouse nuclear fuel, initially many European reactors were constructed with a view to use TVEL products. That is why there are no problems of compatibility between the Russian fuel and reactors, especially in the Eastern Europe. Moreover, TVEL has a price advantage over American Westinghouse. Taking into account the market tendency to reduce the production cost, this factor will be very important in the struggle for the European market”.