Russia begins pilot operation of fifth-generation nuclear fuel for VVER reactors

Russia has begun the pilot operation of its fifth-generation nuclear fuel assemblies, TVS-5, in the VVER-1200 reactor at Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

According to a press release, the newly designed uranium-plutonium fuel bundles, developed for use in a closed nuclear fuel cycle, will undergo three 18-month fuel cycles alongside the conventional enriched uranium dioxide fuel.

Manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, part of Rosatom's Fuel Division, the TVS-5 bundles are designed for fully automated fabrication, paving the way for large-scale production of uranium-plutonium fuel for VVER reactors.

"One of the tasks for closing the nuclear fuel cycle within the dual-component nuclear power system is the introduction of fuel made of regenerated nuclear materials, also for the classical thermal neutron reactors," said Alexander Ugryumov, senior vice president for Research and Development at TVEL. 

"The start of TVS-5 at Novovoronezh NPP is a necessary step for validation of such a fabrication project," he added. 

Russia's long-term nuclear strategy is focused on developing a dual-component industry that integrates both thermal and fast neutron reactors, while recycling spent fuel to produce new uranium-plutonium assemblies. This approach is expected to establish a closed-loop nuclear system with balanced fuel use between both reactor types.