Pilot operation begins for TVS-5 nuclear fuel

Tuesday, 10 June 2025

The TVS-5 is designed to enable fully automated fabrication of VVER-1200 fuel bundles, which Rosatom's fuel division TVEL says " is necessary for development of industrial-scale fabrication of uranium-plutonium fuel for VVER reactors". The assemblies were manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant and will undergo trial operation in an 18-month fuel cycle over three fuel campaigns. 

Alexander Ugryumov, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at TVEL, said: "One of the tasks for closing the nuclear fuel cycle within the dual-component nuclear power system is introduction of fuel made of regenerated nuclear materials, including the classical thermal neutron reactors.

"This requires development of industrial-scale production, which should be fully automated, just like fuel fabrication for the fast reactors. The start of TVS-5 at Novovoronezh NPP is a necessary step for validation of the fabrication project. This is an important milestone achieved by the joint team from Rosatom's Fuel, Energy and Machine-Building Divisions."

The bundles will undergo pilot operation with a regular fuel matrix based on enriched uranium dioxide in compliance with the licence issued by Rostechnadzor in strict coordination with the Russian national regulator.

Vladimir Povarov, Director of Novovoronezh NPP, said: "Loading fifth-generation fuel into the VVER-1200 reactor core is an important stage on the way to closing the nuclear fuel cycle. We take an active part in the implementation of Rosatom's key projects, which will make a significant contribution to the future of the Russian nuclear power industry and open new opportunities for the entire industry."

Russia is seeking to develop a balanced, or closed, fuel cycle with reprocessing and fabrication of fresh uranium-plutonium fuel from used fuel, with circulation of nuclear fuel materials between a combination of thermal and fast neutron reactors.

The aim is to allow the efficient reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel and reprocessing of useful uranium and plutonium, with the goal of reducing the volume and activity of radioactive waste sent for disposal.

The Novovoronezh plant is located in the Voronezh region, about 600 kilometres south of Moscow. It is owned by state nuclear corporation Rosatom and operated by Novovoronezh NPP, a subsidiary of the Rosenergoatom Joint Stock Company. The plant consists of seven units. Units 1, 2 and 3 are permanently shut down and under decommissioning. Units 4, 5, 6 and 7 are operating. All units are pressurised water reactors (VVERs); units 4 and 5 are VVER-440 and VVER-1000, respectively. Units 6 and 7 are both VVER-1200.