State Secretary for Energy of Hungary Abel Garamhegyi visited Paks NPP on Dec 13

15.12.2006 // PR Directorate of TVEL

95% of damaged fuel removed as a result of recovery work at Paks NPP (Hungary)

Together with Director General of the plant Jozsef Kovacs, Garamhegyi visited the reactor room of the first and second units and inspected the recovery work in the 1st well of the 2nd unit carried out by Russian specialists under TVEL coordination. After the visit, he gave a briefing for the press. He told the journalists that the recovery work is near completion. 5,508 kg or 95% of damaged fuel has already been removed. All the rod cassettes were removed and placed in canisters. The small fragments of the fuel will be removed during the washing of the tank.

Gamanhegyi pointed out that Hungary should build new reactors at Paks.

The incident at Paks NPP took place Apr 10 2003. Some 30 fuel rod cassettes were damaged when washed out by Framatome NP (presently AREVA NP) technology and equipment. The contract for recovery of the 1st well of the 2nd reactor was made by Paks and TVEL in Sept 2003. The final stage was started on Oct 15. The work is being carried out by Russian specialists and NPP employees. They are using unique equipment and technologies designed and made in Russia specially for the project.

The recovery work will be finished as soon as the whole fuel fragments are removed, placed in canisters and put in the cooling pond and when the 1st well will be put in order, this including deactivation and removal of the equipment and the tank.