Rosatom finalizes shipments to China for first CFR-600 fast reactor core load. With these deliveries, Rosatom is continuing its turn towards China.
Rosatom deliveries to China
Rosatom’s shipments to China will allow for the first loading of the CFR-600 reactor core. The shipments also include the clusters for the first reload. The deliveries were made by train from the Elemash construction plant in Elektrostal.
Rosatom also sent the reactor control and protection assemblies. These shipments were, for their part, carried out by air. Deliveries were fully on schedule and on budget for this CFR-600 project.
The CFR-600 fuel fabrication facility at the Elemash plant was occurring in 2021. Rosatom was carrying out a major modernization of the fuel fabrication shop. This required the development and installation of unique equipment on site.
Rosatom, through its subsidiary TVEL, also supplies fuel for two VVER reactors in China. These are the Tianwan and Yibin reactors. In addition, the Russian company is supplying fuel for China’s first experimental fast reactor, the CEFR.
A partnership between Russia and China
Rosatom’s contract with China on CFR-600 fuel is part of the agreement between the Chinese and Russian governments. This is part of a large-scale program of bilateral cooperation in the nuclear industry. This contract is expected to extend over several decades.
The signing took place in 2018, in the presence of both heads of state. The agreement between the Chinese and Russian leaders also includes the construction of Russian-designed Generation III+ nuclear reactors. In addition, they will be located in Tianwan and Xudabo in China.
In addition, TVEL, the fuel division of Rosatom, is the sole supplier of fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. The company supplies fuel to 75 reactors in 15 countries around the world. TVEL includes nuclear fuel fabrication, conversion and uranium enrichment businesses.
The company also includes gas centrifuge production units, as well as research and design organizations. Rosatom’s fuel division is the world’s largest producer of enriched uranium. In addition, it is the world market leader in stable isotopes.
