The NuScale Power Module is a 77 MWe Generation III+ pressurised water reactor that uses NuFUEL-HTP2 fuel, which is based on existing Framatome HTP pressurised water reactor fuel technology. A fuel manufacturing contract was signed in 2015.
The companies said: “Framatome has now been issued notice to qualify the Richland, Washington facility for manufacturing and delivery of the NuFUEL-HTP2 fuel design. In addition to supporting manufacturing readiness, the notice includes direction to produce at least 444 fuel assemblies for NuScale’s first US customer as early as 2030, reflecting growing momentum for the nuclear energy industry and rising demand for baseload electricity.”
Their links are to be expanded to Framatome’s European facilities for the future fabrication of fuel assemblies for NuScale’s European SMR customers.
Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome, said: “By leveraging our proven expertise and advanced American and European manufacturing facilities, we are ensuring reliable, high-quality fuel delivery for NuScale’s customers worldwide – this milestone reflects our shared vision for a sustainable energy future and reinforces Framatome’s role as a trusted partner in advancing next-generation nuclear solutions.”
Carl Fisher, Chief Operating Officer at NuScale Power, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, said: “NuScale is proud to continue our decade-long relationship with our partners at Framatome to supply fuel for our global customers. This newest agreement will allow us to continue to meet our critical supply chain and manufacturing milestones to fulfill project timelines and prepare to deploy our groundbreaking technology.”
Framatome, which is 80.5% owned by French state-owned EDF Group and 19.5% by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, says the fuel design “combines low pressure drop with robust mechanical strength and seismic resilience to assure reliable fuel performance in this new reactor type. Over 20,000 HTP fuel assemblies have been delivered to a wide range of PWRs in 11 countries”.
