AREVA: The Construction of Nuclear Fuel Fabrication Plant Has Started in Kazakhstan
December 06 2016 - 6:06AM
Business Wire
Regulatory News:
AREVA (Paris:AREVA) :
National Atomic Company Kazatomprom and China General Nuclear
Power Corporation (CGNPC) have proceeded to implementation of a
joint innovative project in the nuclear sector. This has become
known during the teleconference with participation of the President
of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Construction of this FA Manufacturing Plant is one of the
breakthrough projects to be implemented under Kazatomprom’s
strategy which focuses on development of a vertically integrated
fuel cycle company with advanced nuclear fuel fabrication
capabilities.The plant will be managed through a joint venture
“Ulba-FA”, the founders of which are Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC
(51%) (Kazatomprom’s subsidiary) and CGN-URC (49%) (subsidiary of
CGNPC) .FA production technology will be provided by the French
company AREVA, the world’s leader in this segment. The relevant
Contract was signed between AREVA NP and Ulba-FA LLP. The Agreement
provides a license for fuel fabrication technology, engineering
documentation, supply of the key production equipment, personnel
training and others.
Askar Zhumagaliyev, CEO of Kazatomprom noted: “This FA
manufacturing plant construction is the result of a long-term
cooperation of Kazakhstan, China and France and one of the
strategic steps of Kazatomprom towards production diversification.
Maintaining our uranium mining leadership, we are planning to offer
to the market the fuel for nuclear power plants of Kazakhstan’s
origin, which will allow us to strengthen our position on the
global nuclear market».
Zhang Shanming, CGNPC Director General stated: “CGNPC has been
cooperating with Kazatomprom in uranium mining, natural uranium
trading and nuclear fuel pellets fabrication since 2006. Execution
of the joint fuel project allowed both companies to take their
cooperation to a new level. This project is an example of
successful cooperation within the “One Belt, One Road” and “Bright
Path” initiatives”.
Philippe Knoche, CEO of AREVA declared: “AREVA is proud to
be selected as a full scope technology provider for this future
fuel plant. This contract reinforces the strong links between
AREVA, Kazatomprom and CGNPC. Our team is
already mobilized for the successful implementation of
the project and we have started the production
of the necessary equipment”.
It should be noted that this project will allow to establish a
modern, completely automated production with the capacity of 200
tonnes of fuel assemblies per year, which will be further used in
NPPs as nuclear fuel. The enterprise is expected to have a
guaranteed market outlet for 20 years.Investments would comprise
over KZT 49 billion, half of which is to be provided by the Chinese
side. This project will also create 129 direct new jobs and create
additional economic benefit through support goods and services in
Kazakhstan. Initial FA production is scheduled for 2020.
Reference.
Fuel assembly is the finished, manufactured product to be
used as fuel for nuclear power plants. FA fabrication is a final
stage of nuclear power plant fuel cycle production and is one of
the most significant, as a FA is loaded into a reactor and will
work under high temperatures and in an environment subject to
radiation, for about 4-5 years. FA fabrication is a large-scale,
highly automated, mechanical process and is divided into the
following key stages: fuel elements fabrication; skeleton
fabrication; FA fabrication; FA storage; FA loading into containers
and their delivery. The uranium contained in these fuel assemblies
will originate from uranium mines in Kazakhstan, which will have
been further process into fuel pellets manufactured in existing
facilities at the Ulba Metallurgical Plant.
NAC Kazatomprom JSC is the national operator of the
Republic of Kazakhstan for export of uranium and its compounds,
rare metals, nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants, special purpose
equipment, technologies and double-use materials. The main
activities of the company are: geological exploration, uranium
production, manufacture of nuclear fuel cycle products and
construction materials. Today the Company has more than 26,000
employees. Kazatomprom is among the leading uranium production
companies in the world.
Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC is one of the most
recognized world leading manufacturers of uranium dioxide fuel
pellets for NPPs and products containing beryllium, tantalum and
niobium. The company is a part of the National Atomic Company
Kazatomprom.
China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC) is a
large enterprise under supervision of State-owned Assets
Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State
Council of China. CGNPC’s main business is clean energy, including
nuclear, solar, wind and hydro power. CGNPC has more than 30 years’
experience in nuclear power plant (NPP) construction and operation.
In CGNPC NPP fleet, 16 NPPs are in operation with a total capacity
of 17.09 GWe, and 12 NPPs are in construction with a total capacity
of 14.65 GWe. CGNPC has more NPPs in constructions than any other
enterprise or company in the world. In addition to nuclear power,
CGNPC is also an active player in wind, solar and hydro power
development. CGNPC has dedicated subsidiaries to invest
respectively in wind and solar power. Both subsidiaries are able to
deliver EPC or turnkey wind or solar power project. CGNPC is one of
the leading enterprises in China in none-nuclear clean energy
power.
AREVA NP is a major international player in the nuclear
energy market recognized for its innovative solutions and
value-added technologies for designing, building, maintaining, and
advancing the global nuclear fleet. The company designs,
manufactures, and installs components and fuel for nuclear power
plants and offers a full range of reactor services. With 14,000
employees worldwide, every day AREVA NP’s expertise helps its
customers improve the safety and performance of their nuclear
plants and achieve their economic and societal goals. AREVA NP is a
subsidiary of the AREVA group.
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