Framatome has signed a long-term contract with Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) to supply nuclear fuel assemblies for the EPR at unit 3 of the Olkiluoto NPP (OL3) in Finland. The agreement secures fuel deliveries for eight years of OL3 operation and further strengthens a longstanding partnership between Framatome and TVO based on more than 30 years of collaboration in nuclear fuel supply for Olkiluoto’s boiling water reactors (units 1&2) and the EPR.
In addition to ensuring long-term fuel supply, the agreement provides TVO with the option to transition to Framatome’s advanced GAIA fuel design, once the necessary licensing activities for reload quantities are completed.
GAIA is Framatome’s most advanced pressurised water reactor (PWR) fuel technology. It is specifically engineered to improve plant economics, safety margins, and structural reliability during high-performance operations. GAIA supports higher uranium enrichment levels and greater “burnup” capacity. This directly supports TVO’s goal of stretching reactor cycles up to 24 months between refuelling outages. The design incorporates chromia-doped fuel pellets and a specialized chromium coating on the zirconium alloy cladding. This heavily resists high-temperature oxidation and reduces hydrogen generation if cooling is ever compromised.
However, before TVO can load GAIA assemblies in large “reload” quantities, they must complete the necessary regulatory licensing activities with Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK – Säteilyturvakeskus). Until those approvals are finalised, Framatome will continue supplying its standard EPR fuel assemblies while providing core engineering support.
“We are proud to continue supporting our long-term customer, TVO, by delivering reliable and safe fuel assemblies to Olkiluoto 3”, said Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President, Framatome’s Fuel Business Unit. “This agreement reflects the trusted relationship we have built over many years, as well as our shared commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence in nuclear fuel supply.”
Tuomas Rantala, Head of TVO’s Fuel Unit, said the agreement allows the adoption of longer operating cycles of up to two years at Olkiluoto 3. “At the same time, the Agreement strengthens over the long term the supply reliability based on TVO’s decentralised procurement approach.”
