AREVA and TVA Sign Letter of Intent on the Supply of MOX Fuel from Savannah River Facility

AREVA announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with the Tennessee Valley Authority expressing the mutual desire to begin discussions concerning the potential use of mixed-oxide fuel in TVA’s nuclear power plants. The fuel would come from the Mixed-Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility now under construction at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

The letter of intent also acknowledges TVA’s role in the Department of Energy’s evaluation of surplus nuclear weapons material disposal, but does not commit TVA to use mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel. Using MOX fuel produced from surplus weapons material in a reactor renders the plutonium unsuitable as a nuclear weapon.

Through its global organization, AREVA has provided MOX fuel for 40 operating commercial reactors in five countries. The company has nearly 40 years experience recycling used fuel containing plutonium in the manufacturing of MOX fuel.

“As the world leader in MOX fuel production, AREVA has a long, successful history of producing reliable mixed-oxide fuel in Europe and has many satisfied customers around the globe. We look forward to partnering with TVA as it evaluates the potential use of MOX fuel in its nuclear plants,” said Jacques Besnainou, CEO of AREVA North America.