Slovak utility company Slovenské elektrárne has formalized a long-term agreement with Framatome from France for supplying nuclear fuel to its VVER-440 reactors at the Bohunice and Mochovce facilities, starting in 2027.
Contract Details
The contract signing follows a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2023 during a visit involving French President Emmanuel Macron and Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová.
This MoU laid the groundwork for future collaboration and discussions on extending their partnership in areas such as nuclear operations, maintenance, safety instrumentation, control, cybersecurity, and exploring the potential for nuclear medicine and radioisotope production in Slovakia.
Strategic Milestone
Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President of Framatome’s Fuel Business Unit, commented, “This contract represents a significant milestone in the ongoing and productive partnership between Framatome and Slovenské elektrárne.
We are excited to support the diversification of Slovakia’s fuel supply, ensuring the safe, reliable, and continuous operation of the Bohunice and Mochovce nuclear power plants.”
Enhancing Energy Security
Branislav Strýček, General Director of Slovenské elektrárne, noted, “Securing a contract with one of the leading global nuclear fuel suppliers is a crucial step toward bolstering Slovakia’s energy security. Our nuclear power plants are a vital component of our energy mix, and diversifying our nuclear fuel sources is essential for their stable operation.”
Slovak Nuclear Power Landscape
Currently, Slovakia operates five nuclear reactors—three at Mochovce and two at Bohunice—which produce half of the country’s electricity. An additional unit is under construction at Mochovce.
Slovenské elektrárne manages both plants and aims to have at least two alternative nuclear fuel suppliers and potential providers of materials and services throughout the nuclear fuel supply chain.
Recent Developments
In August of the previous year, Slovenské elektrárne established a long-term deal with Westinghouse for the licensing and supply of VVER-440 fuel assemblies.
This fuel, provided by Westinghouse Electric Sweden, will require licensing approval before use in Slovak reactors, with the first deliveries expected around a year post-approval.
Broader EU Context
Across the EU, 19 VVER reactors—originating from the Soviet era and historically dependent on Russian fuel—are in operation. This includes four VVER-1000 reactors in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, and 15 VVER-440 reactors in the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, and Slovakia.
With the onset of the Ukraine conflict, many EU nuclear operators are seeking alternative suppliers. Bulgaria, for example, has agreements with Framatome and Westinghouse to replace its Russian fuel supply.
Framatome’s Dual-Track Approach
Framatome is pursuing a dual-track strategy for supplying fuel to VVER reactors in the EU. In the short term, the company will produce fuel identical to the current design used by these reactors.
Simultaneously, Framatome is developing and qualifying European-designed fuels for VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors.
EU Funding and Projects
Recently, Framatome received a €10 million ($10.7 million) contribution from the EU under the Euratom Research and Training Programme to develop a European fuel solution for VVER reactors.
The SAVE (Safe and Alternative VVER European) project, led by Framatome, includes 17 stakeholders and focuses on VVER-440 fuel. This initiative follows the Accelerated Program for Implementation of Secure VVER Fuel Supply (APIS) project, launched in July 2023, which aims to develop safe and next-generation fuel designs for VVER reactors.