Slovakia refuses to buy Russian nuclear fuel

It is noted that almost 60% of the energy produced by Slovakia comes from nuclear power plants, which in turn receive exclusively Russian nuclear fuel.

However, after the conclusion of an agreement to provide "the only fully Western alternative" for the supply of energy resources between Slovak power plants and the Swiss branch of the American company Westinghouse, Slovakia will be able to abandon nuclear fuel from Russia.

Branislav Strýček, director of the Slovak Electric Power Plants utility, said that securing another supplier of nuclear fuel for power plants is an important step towards strengthening his country's energy security.

"Nuclear power plants are an important pillar in the energy mix of our country, so I consider it crucial to ensure diversification of nuclear fuel supplies for their stable operation," he added.

However, the fuel must first undergo an approval process specifically for use in Slovak nuclear reactors. If the results are positive, nuclear fuel from the alternative country will be delivered to Slovakia within a year.

The agreement is in line with the EU's goal of ending its dependence on Russian energy. While most EU sanctions target fossil fuels, Slovakia has found itself dependent on the aggressor state in the nuclear sector.

Slovak power plants are seeking to attract at least one additional energy fuel supplier. Thus, in May, the company signed a memorandum of cooperation with the French company Framatom, indicating another potential source, the article says.

Euractiv also reports that Westinghouse is an American company, but the contract with Slovakia was signed with its Swedish subsidiary.

"We are very pleased to contribute to Slovakia’s fuel diversification and to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Slovenské elektrárne. We offer the only fully Western alternative fuel for this type of reactor and remain committed to supporting Slovakia’s operating fleet, leveraging our Swedish fabrication footprint," said Tarik Choho, President of Westinghouse's Nuclear Fuel Division.

The day before, British Energy Secretary Grant Shapps announced during a visit to Kyiv that the country would provide Ukraine with $245 million to buy nuclear fuel from producers, including British