Orsay, France, September 8, 2020 – Westinghouse Electric Company and ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas (ENUSA) announced today the installation of EnCore Fuel at Engie Electrabel’s Doel Unit 4 nuclear power plant in Belgium. This installation marks the first insertion of EnCore Fuel rod assemblies in Europe, and the second insertion into a commercial nuclear power plant worldwide.
“The insertion of EnCore Fuel at the Doel plant is a significant milestone for our Accident Tolerant Fuel program,” said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse president of EMEA Operating Plant Services. “This installation is part of the successful deployment of EnCore Fuel to the global nuclear energy industry.”
The lead test assemblies (LTAs) were manufactured and delivered under the Frame Cooperation Agreement between Westinghouse and ENUSA, which was signed in 2018 to allow for collaboration on the advancement of the EnCore Fuel program at Westinghouse. Westinghouse supplied the uranium dioxide powder and components including the advanced cladding technology, while ENUSA delivered the uranium dioxide pellets, as well as the fuel assembly and shipment.
“The capabilities of the ENUSA-Westinghouse cooperation have made this program a reality and have been demonstrated through the reduced lead time from order to fuel installation,” said Roberto González Villegas, ENUSA Business Development and Technology Director. “ENUSA is proud to partner with Westinghouse and acknowledges Engie Electrabel for their support for this program.”
For additional information about Westinghouse’s EnCore Fuel program, please visit:
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/operating-plants/fuel/fuel-innovation
