President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Patrick Fragman, President and CEO of the American company Westinghouse, which supplies nuclear fuel to Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
In the presence of the Head of State, a new contract was signed between Energoatom and Westinghouse for the supply of fuel for WWER-440 reactors to Ukraine.
In addition, the parties signed a Protocol of Intent on the development of cooperation between the supplier company and the Separate Subdivision of the State Enterprise NNEGC Energoatom - Atomenergomash.
This document envisages the production of Westinghouse fuel components by Atomenergomash with a market outside Ukraine, as well as the increase in the range of fuel components that can be manufactured by Atomenergomash. The production of equipment for WWER-1000 and/or WWER-440 fuel inspection is also envisaged.
After the ceremony of signing the documents, the President reminded that Ukraine once became the first country in the world to diversify the supply of nuclear fuel for WWER-1000 reactors. With the new contract, Ukraine will be one of the first countries to receive alternative fuel for WWER-440 reactors.
The Head of State also stressed that the new agreements are a continuation of a fruitful 20-year partnership between Ukraine and the United States of America on the diversification of fuel supplies to Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
"This is, first of all, a deepening of the diversification of nuclear fuel supplies for our state-owned Energoatom, which currently generates more than half of Ukraine's electricity. That is why this agreement is strategic for us,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In addition, the President stressed that he supports contracts and agreements aimed at improving conditions in the energy sector of Ukraine, as well as those that will help create new jobs.
Separately, the Head of State said that the nuclear industry in Ukraine has a huge potential that should be actively used. To do this, it is necessary to create new capacities and build new power units. This includes Khmelnytskyi NPP, which the President recently visited during a working trip.
"We are already considering the budget for the next year. We will talk about the possibility of completing the third and fourth power units," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
Acting President of Energoatom Petro Kotin thanked Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the comprehensive support of our country's nuclear energy. He also said that the signing of a new contract is an important decision for Ukraine and all countries of the European continent that operate WWER-440 units.
"The decision is based on the European Energy Security Strategy and the Agreement between the governments of Ukraine and the United States of America on a nuclear fuel qualification project for Ukraine," he said.
Patrick Fragman, Chief Executive Officer of the supplier company, noted that the presence of the President of Ukraine gives a new impetus to the development of nuclear energy. That is why the company is glad to help in energy security issues, as well as to promote services and products of Ukraine abroad.
For her part, United States Chargés d'affaires ad interim to Ukraine Kristina Kvien stressed that energy diversification should be the basis of Ukraine's energy security, and today's agreement will be beneficial for Ukraine and the United States.