Ukraine mulls using U.S. nuclear fuel at its NPPs - report

Ukraine intends to start buying fuel for three of its 15 nuclear power units from the United States, the Kommersant-Ukraina newspaper reported Friday, according to RIA Novosti.

The newspaper said it had a Ukrainian National Security Council draft resolution requesting the country`s Fuel and Energy Ministry use fuel at three of its 15 power blocks that is not from Russia before 2011.

The only alternative fuel for Ukraine`s VVER-1000 reactors is produced in the U.S. by the Westinghouse Electric Company, which provides fuel, services, technology, plant design, and equipment for the commercial nuclear electric power industry.

"The National Security Council`s draft resolution effectively directs Ukraine to buy fuel from Westinghouse, since there is no other fuel suitable for this type of reactor," said Vladimir Kazashin, head of a Ukrainian research and consultation center.

Kommersant-Ukraina quoted a high-ranking source at the Fuel and Energy Ministry as saying the resolution stipulates that Ukraine should start buying nuclear fuel from Westinghouse as early as 2009.

Ukraine currently operates four NPPs with an aggregate of 15 power units.