Russia to lose 6-8 bln hryvni a year because of Ukraine's decision to stop buying its nuclear fuel - Energoatom head

KYIV. March 11 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The Russian Federation used to earn 6-8 billion hryvni a year by selling nuclear fuel to Ukrainian nuclear power plants, Petro Kotin, head of the Ukrainian nuclear power company Energoatom, said on Friday.

"The fuel program was valued at different figures in different years, with 6-8 billion hryvni a year going to Russia,'' Kotin said in a brief interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

With the start of Russia's military operation, Energoatom decided to completely stop buying Russian nuclear fuel and replace it with that produced by the U.S. company Westinghouse, as well as start manufacturing its own nuclear fuel assemblies, Kotin said.

"We stand ready to completely stop the deliveries of Russian fuel to Ukrainian territory and ensure stable operations of our power units without it. Westinghouse is willing to provide us with full assistance, according to preliminary agreements. I've spoken to its management, and they've been taking measures over the past two weeks to expand production and guarantee such supplies to us," he said.

Nuclear fuel supply diversification will also be attained through starting Ukraine's own production of fuel assemblies, he said.

"Hence, part of nuclear fuel will be produced in Ukraine and another part at Westinghouse facilities," Kotin said.

According to Energoatom, U.S. nuclear fuel is currently being supplied to seven of the 15 units at the Ukrainian nuclear power plants.