Westinghouse has nuclear fuel for Armenia: will the Americans push Rosatom out?
The Westinghouse delegation (center is Tarik Choueiri) met with US Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Quinn. Photo.
A delegation from the American company Westinghouse visited Armenia. On the same day, the US ambassador met with the Armenian Deputy Prime Minister. Neither side disclosed specific details. However, discussions began online about the possibility that the Americans may already be working on some aspects related to a new reactor in Armenia. This process is lengthy, and it is likely that this visit involved something entirely different – perhaps Westinghouse could replace Rosatom in supplying nuclear fuel to Armenia's nuclear power plant.
The US Embassy in Armenia stated: "Ambassador Quinn met with representatives of Westinghouse to discuss issues related to nuclear energy in Armenia. American companies possess deep knowledge and innovative technologies that will benefit both Armenia and the United States."
Meanwhile, the press office of the Armenian government announced the meeting between the US ambassador and Deputy Prime Minister Mgrdich Grigoryan.
The Armenian government said: "During the meeting, both sides discussed issues on the bilateral agenda between Armenia and the United States, as well as possibilities for expanding cooperation. Regional events were also addressed, particularly the efforts made by Armenia to establish solid stability and peace in the region. In this context, the deputy prime minister emphasized the importance of implementing the 'Crossroads of Peace' initiative."
Neither side provided any detailed information, but the visit of the American company representatives sparked interest. The Armenian authorities plan to build a new reactor, and it is known that applications have been submitted by companies from several countries, including Russian and American firms.
In February, at a government meeting, Armenian Minister of Territorial Management and Infrastructure David Khudhoyan stated: "We continue to study proposals regarding the construction of a new nuclear power plant. There are various proposals, and I do not wish to name the countries involved yet, as no decision has been made."
The day before, the Armenian government established an enterprise responsible for matters related to the new nuclear power plant.
David Khudhoyan stated: "The government has established a closed joint-stock company that will be responsible for the proposals regarding the new nuclear power plant model, followed by the formulation and regulation of technical conditions. Subsequently, the project will be handed over to the operator. The list of personnel will be approved soon."
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has stated that building small modular reactors (SMRs) is a strategic decision. American companies are actively promoting such reactors globally, including Westinghouse.
Due to a lack of information about the visit of Westinghouse representatives to Armenia, various speculations began to appear on social media.
For instance, a Telegram channel wrote: "Contractors will not appear in Armenia without approval from relevant US government agencies – the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This is how things work in America. Conversely, without formal confirmation from the Armenian authorities that they want the contractor to enter the site for nuclear power plant construction, such approval would also be impossible."
Alexander Uvarov, director of the "Nuclear Information Center," pointed out that Westinghouse is actively recommending its AP300 reactor project based on AP1000 reactor technology to clients.
This expert stated: "There are two issues. AP1000 reactors are operating well in related countries. However, American nuclear industry professionals struggled to start up two of these types of reactors at great cost. Thus, without assistance from relevant countries, Westinghouse would face difficulties. Additionally, the AP300 project remains at the conceptual stage; it has not been built anywhere, not even in the United States, and has not received certification."
In addition, all specific negotiations regarding American reactors in Armenia can only proceed after a "123" intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy is signed between the two countries. Yerevan (Armenia's capital) has submitted the application, and the US State Department confirmed it, stating that the document is under review.
In this situation, the purpose of this visit by American companies might be entirely different, but in any case, it clearly would displease Rosatom. Westinghouse may actually be interested in the existing power generation units of Armenia's nuclear power plant equipped with VVER-440 reactors.
Alexander Uvarov said: "They have resumed production lines for VVER-440 reactor nuclear fuel, and the number of customers is not high – two units in Ukraine and some units in Eastern Europe, where Westinghouse is fiercely competing with France's Framatome. Of course, Westinghouse will provide its nuclear fuel services to Armenia's nuclear power plant, especially since the company’s nuclear fuel business is doing well."
Based on the photos released by the US embassy, the fact that the American company delegation was led by Tarik Choueiri supports the claim that this visit was related to nuclear fuel. He is one of the presidents of Westinghouse and leads the nuclear fuel division.
It was during his tenure that Westinghouse resumed the production of replacement nuclear fuel for VVER-440 reactors. In 2022, Tarik Choueiri signed a contract to supply nuclear fuel to Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant (VVER-440 reactor). In 2023, he signed contracts to supply nuclear fuel to the Czech Republic's Dukovany nuclear power plant (VVER-440 reactor), Slovakia's Bohunice and Mochovce nuclear power plants (VVER-440 reactors), and in 2024, he signed a contract to supply nuclear fuel to Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear power plant (VVER-1000 reactor). Previously, these nuclear power plants had been supplied with nuclear fuel by Russia.
The president of Westinghouse stated at the contract signing ceremony: "We provide the only fully Western alternative nuclear fuel for this type of reactor."
Currently, the company is leading projects to convert Soviet-Russian VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors to use alternative nuclear fuel (APIS), partially funded by the European Union.
Tarik Choueiri stated when signing the contract to supply nuclear fuel to Ukraine's Rovno nuclear power plant VVER-440 reactor: "The APIS project fully aligns with the cooperation encouraged by the EU between suppliers and nuclear power plants to eliminate negative impacts on VVER nuclear fuel supply and reduce dependence on current suppliers. Some countries have already embarked on this diversification path, indicating the existence of alternative solutions in the VVER market."
The only operational power generation unit at Armenia's nuclear power plant, with a capacity of 448 megawatts, uses seismic-resistant nuclear fuel produced by TVEL Mechanical Engineering Plant of Rosatom for VVER-440 reactors. It is reported that the company signed a contract for the supply of nuclear fuel assemblies to the Armenian nuclear power plant in 2022. Oleh Grygoriyev, senior vice president of Rosatom responsible for commercial and international business, previously stated that they would continue to supply nuclear fuel to this nuclear power plant before the end of the current reactor's operational period (2026). The reactor's operation period will be extended for another 10 years, but whether there will be contracts between Russia and Armenia regarding nuclear fuel supply during this period remains unclear.
The Eurasian Daily sought comments from Rosatom, but no response had been received at the time of publication of this article.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496688207069807123/
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