Ukraine plans domestic nuclear fuel assembly as it seeks OECD nuclear agency membership

Ukraine already produces components for Westinghouse fuel assemblies used in Soviet-designed VVER-1000 reactors, Shmyhal said at an OECD nuclear energy conference in Paris.

The next step will be to establish nuclear fuel assembly capacity in Ukraine. Kyiv aims to domestically produce at least 30% of the fuel needed for its VVER reactor fleet and localize up to 100% of fuel assembly production for VVER-1000 reactors, according to the minister.

Ukraine has partnered with Canada’s Cameco for uranium supplies and with Urenco for uranium enrichment services as part of efforts to secure its nuclear fuel supply chain.

Shmyhal also announced that Ukraine is applying to join the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, an intergovernmental body that promotes cooperation on the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology.

He described NEA membership as another step toward Ukraine’s broader goal of eventually joining the OECD.

Ukraine also plans to increase its electricity interconnection capacity with Europe from the current 2.4 gigawatts to 4.5 GW, with the goal of becoming a major exporter of low-carbon electricity to the European market.