Prospects for implementation of VVER nuclear fuel enriched above 5%

Abstract JSC TVEL has carried out a technical and economic study with the involvement of the National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute” in the use of nuclear fuel enriched above the current limit of 5 wt% for VVER-1000/1200. The article presents neutronic characteristics of developed 18- and 24-month fuel cycles based on fuel enriched above 5 wt% and assessment of nuclear safety for fabrication and handling with high enriched fuel.