Framatome Will Supply Fuel to Hungary’s VVER Reactors

On 25 October, Framatome and MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd. (ENS Corporate Members) announced the signing of a major contract for the long-term supply of nuclear fuel to the Hungarian Paks VVER reactors from 2027.

The contract ensuring the fuel supply diversification of Hungary is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Ministry of Energy of Hungary and Framatome in September 2023.

The MoU served indeed as the basis for expanding collaboration between Framatome and Hungary across diverse nuclear-related areas, including education and skills development, research and development (R&D), the adoption of innovative technologies, the nuclear fuel supply, and the management of long-term operations.

Framatome is strongly committed to supporting Hungary’s nuclear industry and energy policy and we are pleased to contribute to the diversification of the fuel supply for Paks

said Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome.

With today’s agreement, the first supplier contract has been concluded that extends beyond the duration of the extended operating time extension already implemented. It will provide us fuel for the production of environmentally friendly, clean electricity, which means stability and affordable prices for households and corporations,”

said Péter Horvath, CEO of MVM Paks Nuclear Power plant.

Paks nuclear power plant, in central Hungary, has four VVER reactors which started operations in the ’80s, and which in 2023 supplied 48.8% of the country’s electricity production, according to International Atomic Energy Agency data.

Read the full Framatome Press Release.

The importance of the diversification of nuclear fuel suppliers has been often underlined by the Euratom Supply Agency (ENS Member) which reminded us that diversification is paramount to prevent excessive dependence of EU users on any single third-country supplier and to achieve the security of supply of nuclear fuels in the medium and long term.

Framatome has recently been appointed as leader in the new Innovation Action called SAVE, funded under the Euratom Research and Training Programme.

The project will work with €10 million in EU contribution, and it will gather 17 partners from seven EU Member States plus Ukraine.

SAVE aims to contribute to the swift and secure development and deployment of a European fuel solution for VVER reactors operating mainly in Eastern and Central Europe.