OREANDA-NEWS. Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), a joint venture majority owned by GE, today announced that it has been selected by Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) to continue to provide fuel reloads for the Cooper Nuclear Station. The fuel supply contract runs through January 2034 and includes nine reloads that will potentially provide fuel to the 810 megawatt boiling water reactor during its remaining lifetime. The total value of the contract is more than \$100 million.

Cooper has been fueled by GNF since the joint venture of GE, Hitachi and Toshiba was formed in 2000. From 1974 to 1999 fuel for the plant near Brownville, Neb. was provided by GNF’s predecessor, the nuclear fuel division of GE Nuclear.  

“Our support of Cooper spans more than four decades and this contract means we will provide the plant with fuel to operate across a 60-year lifespan,” said Kevin Walsh, CEO of GNF and Senior Vice President, Nuclear Services and Fuels for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. “We look forward to continuing this relationship and helping Cooper maximize power generation with our efficient, industry-leading GNF2 fuel assembly.”

“NPPD’s contract with GNF for the remaining licensed life of Cooper Nuclear Station is important to our Nebraska customers,” said Oscar Limpias, Vice President Nuclear & CNO at Cooper Nuclear Station. “NPPD’s goal is to ensure we have a reliable and economical source of fabricated nuclear fuel assemblies for the safe and long-term operation of Cooper which is a critical asset in NPPD’s fleet of power plants. We also look forward to seeing additional synergies during our refueling outages through our contract for outage and inspection services with GE Hitachi.”

The GNF2 high performance fuel assembly is designed to deliver increased energy output while decreasing overall fuel cycle costs. GNF2's advanced design saves utilities money by reducing the total amount of uranium and the average enrichment in fuel reloads. Fuel for Cooper will be fabricated by GNF at its state-of-the-art facility in Wilmington, N.C.

GNF Receives Contract for Fuel Reloads at Cooper Nuclear Station

In June 2014, NPPD awarded a contract to GE Hitachi to provide a full suite of outage and inspection services at Cooper for six outages through 2024.  

About GNF

Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) is a world-leading supplier of boiling water reactor fuel, including uranium dioxide and MOX fuel and fuel-related engineering services. GNF is a GE-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and Toshiba Corporation and operates primarily through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, N.C., and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co. Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.

About GEH

Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.