France’s Framatome has signed a contract with four European utilities – ČEZ (Czech Republic), Fortum (Finland), MVM Paks NPP (Hungary), and Slovenské elektrárne (Slovakia) – to advance development of its European VVER 440 fuel design. This represents a long-term cooperation agreement with the utilities to secure the future diversification and fuel supply of their 440 MW VVER pressurised water reactors.
Currently, 19 VVER reactors are in operation in the EU, including 15 VVER 440 MW reactors in the Czech Republic (four units at Dukovany), Finland (two units at Loviisa), Hungary (four units at Paks) and Slovakia (two units at Bohunice and three at Mochovce).
Framatome and 17 stakeholders, including these four European VVER utilities, have been working on the development of this new VVER fuel technology, including within the framework of the Framatome Safe and Alternative VVER European Project (SAVE) funded by the European Union (EU) under the Euratom Research & Training Programme. Framatome aims at manufacturing its first own-design lead fuel assemblies starting from 2028. Lionel Gaiffe, Framatome Senior Executive Vice President of the Fuel Business Unit said Framatome “is the only fuel supplier able to guarantee a 100% sovereign European technology”.
Framatome’s nuclear fuel development project will progress in phases. In the first phase, the basic design of the fuel, VERA-440, will be carried out, and in the second phase the lead test assemblies will be manufactured and. Potential regular fuel deliveries would take place in the early 2030s. All of this will be made possible through an integrated and robust 100% European design and supply chain involving Framatome’s French and German fuel fabrication facilities.
“Today we celebrate far more than a technical accomplishment – we celebrate a shared vision and a strong teamwork across borders. I warmly congratulate all Framatome teams and extend my sincere gratitude to ČEZ, Fortum, MVM Paks NPP, and Slovenské elektrárne for the trust they have placed in Framatome,” said Framatome CEO Grégoire Ponchon. “Their confidence has been essential in bringing this ambitious project to life. This agreement reflects our shared intention to work together over the long term, fostering continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence in nuclear fuel supply.”
Bohdan Zronek, ČEZ Group Board Member and Director of the Nuclear Division, noted: “ČEZ Group has long focused on diversifying its nuclear fuel suppliers, which is a key priority for strengthening supply security, enhancing energy security, and ensuring the efficient operation of our power plants. Our participation in the development of a new fuel design for VVER 440 units operated at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant therefore represents a logical and strategically important next step.”
Petra Lundström, Executive Vice President responsible for Fortum’s nuclear operations said security of energy supply is a strategic priority. “Diversifying the entire nuclear fuel value chain strengthens our ability to supply electricity reliably to our customers. It is great that we can now, through European cooperation, develop a solution that benefits several companies at the same time and can enhance energy security in many European countries.”
MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant plans responsibly for the long term and is preparing a further extension of the operating life of its active units, said Péter János Horváth, CEO of MVM Paks NPP. “An essential part of this work is to anticipate the conditions of our operation for decades and ensure them in fuel procurement as well. Preserving and strengthening energy sovereignty, guaranteeing the security of supply and maintaining environmentally friendly, clean electricity production are of key importance for Hungary, to which the newly signed agreement also significantly contributes.”
Branislav Strýček, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Slovenské elektrárne said nuclear power is key to the energy security for Slovakia and all of Europe. “If this pillar is to be strong on long-term basis, we must have control over one of the most important inputs, namely nuclear fuel. Long-term safe operation of nuclear power plants requires a stable and diversified fuel chain. Involvement of Slovenské elektrárne in the development of European fuel for VVER 440 reactors is a logical step in the management of these technological and contractor-related risks.”
