Apr 16, 2025
Kazatomprom has entered into a uranium supply agreement with ČEZ.
Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom has announced a seven-year agreement to supply natural uranium concentrate to ČEZ in the Czech Republic, marking a major expansion of its presence in Europe. This deal is expected to meet about one-third of the uranium requirements for Westinghouse fuel assemblies used at the Temelin nuclear power plant. ČEZ noted that the contract enhances supplier diversification and strengthens the country's energy security.
Kazatomprom's Chief Commercial Officer, Vladislav Baiguzhin, stated that this agreement helps the company expand its European market presence and diversify its sales portfolio. He emphasized this as a significant step towards being a preferred partner in the global nuclear energy sector, supporting regional energy security and shared sustainability goals.
Bohdan Zronek, Director of the Nuclear Energy Division at ČEZ, remarked that partnering with Kazatomprom diversifies their supplier portfolio and is strategically vital for both ČEZ and the Czech Republic, ensuring a stable fuel supply for their nuclear power plants, which is crucial for fulfilling energy requirements and decarbonization plans by 2030.
The nuclear fuel cycle involves several steps, with supplier diversification being critical. Historically, Temelin's fuel was provided by Russia’s TVEL. Current suppliers for final fuel assemblies are Westinghouse and Framatome, but uranium must first be procured from global markets, as with the Kazatomprom contract, and then enriched through agreements with Urenco and Orano.
Nuclear power accounts for approximately 34% of the Czech Republic's electricity production, sourced from four VVER-440 reactors at Dukovany and two VVER-1000 units at Temelin, which began operations in 2000 and 2002. Recently, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has been chosen as the preferred supplier for constructing up to four new reactors at Dukovany and Temelin, alongside plans for small modular reactors, for which ČEZ has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred supplier and has invested in the company.
Kazatomprom's Chief Commercial Officer, Vladislav Baiguzhin, stated that this agreement helps the company expand its European market presence and diversify its sales portfolio. He emphasized this as a significant step towards being a preferred partner in the global nuclear energy sector, supporting regional energy security and shared sustainability goals.
Bohdan Zronek, Director of the Nuclear Energy Division at ČEZ, remarked that partnering with Kazatomprom diversifies their supplier portfolio and is strategically vital for both ČEZ and the Czech Republic, ensuring a stable fuel supply for their nuclear power plants, which is crucial for fulfilling energy requirements and decarbonization plans by 2030.
The nuclear fuel cycle involves several steps, with supplier diversification being critical. Historically, Temelin's fuel was provided by Russia’s TVEL. Current suppliers for final fuel assemblies are Westinghouse and Framatome, but uranium must first be procured from global markets, as with the Kazatomprom contract, and then enriched through agreements with Urenco and Orano.
Nuclear power accounts for approximately 34% of the Czech Republic's electricity production, sourced from four VVER-440 reactors at Dukovany and two VVER-1000 units at Temelin, which began operations in 2000 and 2002. Recently, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has been chosen as the preferred supplier for constructing up to four new reactors at Dukovany and Temelin, alongside plans for small modular reactors, for which ČEZ has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred supplier and has invested in the company.