Viktor Mikhailov, academic, Ex Nuclear Energy Minister

— The victories of TVEL in international tenders are proof of the high level of Russian nuclear technologies

Commenting on the victory of TVEL Corporation in the international tender for supplying nuclear power to Loviisa NPP (Finland), the laureate of the Lenin and State Awards of the USSR, academic Viktor Mikhailov says that the victory in such a difficult tender has proved the high level of Russian nuclear technologies.

Under its contracts with Loviisa, TVEL should supply modified uranium-gadolinium fuel of second generation. This fuel is much more economical and safe. The supplies will be carried out until both Loviisa units are stopped. Similar fuel is successfully used by Dukovany NPP (Czech Republic) and Mohovce and Bohunice NPPs (Slovakia).

The Russian nuclear fuel is being constantly upgraded and we are already close to the international standards, says Mikhailov. He notes that there is nothing strange in it — our fuel assembly producers enjoy high reputation in the world. «I am sure that the Russian nuclear production will gain a big share on the world market,» says Mikhailov.
 
As was reported earlier, representatives of TVEL Corporation and Fortum (the leading energy concern of Northern Europe and Baltic states) met in Espo (Finland) on Dec 21 to sign a contract for prolonging nuclear power supplies to Loviisa, an NPP owned by Fortum.

The contract was the result of TVEL’s victory in an Oct international tender. Formerly, the 1st unit of Loviisa was fueled by BNFL (UK).

The victory in Finland was the second international victory of TVEL in 2006. In May the corporation won a tender for supplying fuel to Temelin NPP (Czech Republic) in 2010–2020. TVEL’s rival was Westinghouse, who supplied fuel to the plant in 2000–2006.