On Friday, Cranberry Township-based Westinghouse announced it had expanded its agreements with Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear utility of Ukraine.
Westinghouse said the new agreement allows it to supply all nuclear fuel for Energoatom’s operating fleet in Ukraine and increased the number of AP1000 plants Energoatom intends to build from five to nine units. The two companies also affirmed their intention to establish a Westinghouse Engineering Center in Ukraine to support the planned reactor projects, as well as Energoatom’s operating fleet and future decommissioning program.
“Even during this challenging time, we continue to work actively with Westinghouse, our strategic partner. We will expand the areas and scope of cooperation and are confident that together, we will not only write a new chapter in the history of Ukraine’s nuclear energy but also make an important contribution to the energy independence of Europe,” said Petro Kotin, president of SE NNEGC Energoatom.
The new agreement builds off of existing agreements, the companies said. Energoatom said it selected Westinghouse to fully supply nuclear fuel for its installed fleet based on the two companies’ strong partnership and shared commitment to energy security. The fuel will be supplied out of Westinghouse’s fabrication site in Sweden, with localization of fuel assembly production in Ukraine. Atomenergomas, a subdivision of Energoatom, is currently completing qualifications to manufacture top and bottom nozzles for Westinghouse fuel.
“Westinghouse is proud to sign these agreements to fully support Ukraine’s current operating fleet with our industry-leading fuels and services and to increase the number of committed new AP1000 plants from five to nine. We greatly value our long-standing partnership with Energoatom and look forward to the work ahead to help advance Ukraine’s carbon-free future,” Westinghouse President and CEO Patrick Fragman said.