Safety of alternative nuclear fuel for VVER reactors
Summary
The Euratom Research and Training programme has the following specific objectives:
- improve and support nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radiation protection, safe spent fuel and radioactive waste management and decommissioning, including the safe and secure use of nuclear power and of non-power applications of ionising radiation
maintain and further develop expertise and competence in the nuclear field within the community - foster the development of fusion energy as a potential future energy source for electricity production and contribute to the implementation of the European fusion roadmap
- support the policy of the EU and its members on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, safeguards and security
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Euratom Research and Training programme has the following specific objectives:
- improve and support nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radiation protection, safe spent fuel and radioactive waste management and decommissioning, including the safe and secure use of nuclear power and of non-power applications of ionising radiation maintain and further develop expertise and competence in the nuclear field within the community
- foster the development of fusion energy as a potential future energy source for electricity production and contribute to the implementation of the European fusion roadmap
- support the policy of the EU and its members on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, safeguards and security
Call
Detailed Call Description
Twenty Russian-designed VVER reactors exist in the EU and fifteen in Ukraine. The functioning of those reactors depends mainly on Russian-produced nuclear fuel. EU sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made it necessary to strengthen the security of supply for these nuclear power plants. Although there were several attempts in the last two decades in both EU and Ukraine to establish an alternative supplier of the nuclear fuel for the VVER reactors, outcomes were not sufficient to ensure the security of supply at the highest safety standards.
This action should carry out the necessary safety analyses, tests, and, considering the urgency of the situation, help to engage with ENSREG and relevant national nuclear regulators to identify procedures allowing, whenever possible, faster licensing of VVER fuel manufactured by European suppliers, with due consideration to international safety standards (IAEA, WENRA) and the Nuclear Safety Directive.
This action should:
- ensure a coordinated approach to the licensing of the alternative fuel, including qualification and benchmarking campaigns, as well as further development of necessary codes and standards, addressing relevant nuclear safety issues
- remove obstacles for European vendors to assure the supply of highly reliable fuel for the uninterrupted, safe operation of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
Innovation Actions – 70%
The funding rate is 50 % of the eligible costs for for-profit entities and 75% for non-profit entities, as nuclear fuel production is a mature and profitable industrial sector. Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is 60,000. The total financial support provided to third parties must not exceed 5% of the total EU contribution.
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Eligible non-Euratom countries: Please note that as of the date of the publication of this call, there were no countries as yet associated to the Euratom Programme 2021-2025. Currently only Ukraine is expected to become associated to Euratom programme, therefore entities established in Ukraine will be treated as entities established in an Associated Country.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding.
Programme Category
EU Competitive ProgrammesTotal Budget
€10,000,000Thematic Categories
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
Call Opening Date
07/07/2022Call Closing Date
13/10/2022EU Contact Point
For help related to this call, please contact: RTD-EURATOM@ec.europa.eu