Kazakhstan ships 76 fuel assemblies to Chinese nuclear power plants in Q1

ASTANA. May 28 (Interfax) - Kazakh Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev said that 76 fuel assemblies were shipped to Chinese nuclear power plants from January to March 2024.

"At the beginning of 2021, the Ulba-TVS LLP plant commenced its production of fuel assemblies for Chinese nuclear power plants. During the first quarter of 2024, a total of 76 fuel assemblies were dispatched to nuclear power facilities in China," Satkaliyev said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

The Ulba Metallurgical Plant, part of the Kazatomprom group, produced 79 tonnes of uranium product in the first quarter, up 80%, including 76 tonnes of fuel pellets, a surge of 140%, and 3 tonnes of UO2 powder, decline of 360%.

The Ulba-TVS LLP plant, operational since November 2021, received certification from Framatome and recognition as a certified nuclear fuel supplier from CGNPC-URC, the end user in China. The joint venture, with 51% ownership by JSC Ulba Metallurgical Plant and 49% by CGNPC-URC, delivered the first consignment of fuel assemblies to a Chinese NPP in December 2022.

Kazatomprom, managed by JSC Samruk-Kazyna National Wealth Fund, serves as Kazakhstan's national operator for uranium and nuclear fuel exports.