OREANDA-NEWS. TVEL Fuel Company has delivered TVS-2M nuclear fuel for the 7th refueling of the 1st unit of the Tianwan NPP. The cartridges are intended for standard refueling of the 1st unit. The fuel was produced by Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant (JSC NNCP within the JSC TVEL's management circuit). Currently the Tianwan NPP operates two types of fuel assemblies - TVS-2M and UTVS. The deliveries of modified fuel for the 1st unit of the Tianwan NPP until 2020 have been contracted since 2013. The Chinese party plans to resume the negotiations on further deliveries in several years.

In 2010, TVEL FC signed a set of contractual documents with Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation (JNPC) and China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation (CNEIC) for packaged supply of TVS-2M modified nuclear fuel for the 1st unit of the Tianwan NPP in the amount of six refueling. The contracts provide for transfer of TVS-2M fuel fabrication technology with a view to fabricate it at the Yibin Fuel Factory, China, beginning with the 7th refueling of the Tianwan NPP. The total value of the contracts signed in November 2012 amounted to about USD 500 mln. These signed contracts presented an opportunity for the Russian company to continue strategic cooperation, started in 1997, through offering more up-to-date and cost effective TVS-2M fuel to the Chinese party.

In September 2012, an addendum to the contract for fuel supply for the 7th refueling of the 1st unit was signed, and the delivery date was agreed on.

Starting from 2014, TVS-2M fuel for the 2nd unit of the Tianwan NPP will be fabricated at the Yibin Fuel Factory under the Russian technology and using Russian accessories. Transition to the modified fuel allowed TVEL FC and JNPC to reach an agreement on converting the 1st and 2nd units of the Tianwan NPP to the long-term 18-month fuel cycle operation.