In order to perform an analysis on an alternative fuel type for the unit 5, Bulgarian sole nuclear power plant Kozloduy has invited Westinghouse Electric Sweden to sign a 5.6 million euros worth agreement.
The statement from the plant said that the analysis will be used to license the new fuel type for unit 5, which should enable it to operate at a thermal capacity of 3,120 MW.
Westinghouse is the only other producer of fuel casks for VVER-1000 reactors besides NPP Kozloduy’s current supplier – Russian nuclear fuel cycle company TVEL. The contract is seen as a move towards the future diversification of nuclear fuel supplies.
Last year, the two companies signed an agreement on the development of a study on options for licensing and integration of improved fuel for the plant’s two units. The signed contract was worth around 1.6 million euros.