JSC “NAEK ”Energoatom” is implementing agreements with Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB regarding the localization of production of components used in fuel assemblies.
“Atomenergomash (AEM) has received the necessary materials to manufacture the first batch of fuel assembly tails for the VVER-1000. The production time for the batch is four months,” Energoatom reported on Wednesday.
The components manufactured at Ukrainian facilities will be used in the production of fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
“The launch of our own production of fuel assembly components is an important step in achieving Ukraine’s strategic goal of strengthening energy security and establishing energy independence. In addition, the qualification process is underway for another fuel assembly component—fuel cassette heads“, noted Pavlo Kovtonyuk, head of ”Energoatom.”
The company noted that Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB has recognized Energoatom’s subsidiary, VP “Atomenergomash,” as a qualified and approved supplier of nuclear fuel components (fuel assemblies) for VVER reactors. Atomenergomash’s quality system complies with Westinghouse standards.
Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB has accredited Atomenergomash, a separate subdivision of Energoatom, as a supplier of top and bottom nozzles for the company’s fuel assemblies; production of these components is expected to start within six months, Energoatom’s press service reported.
“Necessary equipment has been installed at Atomenergomash to launch manufacturing. At present, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and operation qualification process are going to come to the end. Manufacturing top and bottom nozzles for Westinghouse fuel assemblies are expected to begin within six months,” Hryhoriy Horodner, General Director of Atomenergomash, said.
It is also noted that accreditation was preceded by the successful completion of an audit of Atomenergomash’s integrated management system for compliance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 “Quality Management System. Requirements,” SQSR 13-067 “Supplier Quality System Requirements,” as reported by Westinghouse to Energoatom.
“These components are likely to be used not only for manufacturing fuel assemblies to be supplied by Westinghouse for the needs of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, but also for the needs of other consumers of these Westinghouse products across the globe,” Energoatom said.
One of the priorities of Energoatom for 2022 is to launch production of some components for fuel assemblies using Westinghouse technology at Atomenergomash, the report said.
Atomenergomash is a multifunctional service subdivision of Energoatom, which develops and manufactures certified products as well as carries out unit and restoring repair of heat-exchange and heat machinery equipment, pipeline components for nuclear and thermal power plants of Ukraine.
