Fuel Assemblies

Fuel pellets are inserted in zirconium alloy (zircaloy) pipes and fuel rod are produced for the so called fuel pins which are joined by approximately 200 pieces in completed fuel assemblies ready to be used at NPPs.

80% of the technological lines for fuel assembly manufacturing, of any reactor type, are identical. The other 20% are designed for specific reactor types.

In June 2008 Kazatomprom and French company AREVA signed the Agreement for joint development of activity in the nuclear fuel cycle field. In accordance with the Agreement AREVA will provide technical assistance in the establishment of production operations for manufacturing of nuclear assemblies with a capacity of 1200 tons of U/year at Kazatomprom's Ulba Metallurgical Plant. Within the framework of the Joint Venture being established (Kazatomprom - 51%, АRЕVА - 49%), manufacturing of fuel assemblies will include a separate line with a 400 ton U capacity for reactors of French design, with the fuel pellets for those assemblies being supplied by Kazatomprom.

The Joint Venture founded by AREVA-51% and Kazatomprom-49% will be responsible for the sale of these products.  

The rest of the production facilities of 800 ton U/year (Kazatomprom – 100%) will be used for fuel fabrication for reactors of other design.

The plant is to be constructed in 2009-2012 with the first product output planned for 2013.