The fabrication of the first MOX fuel for the Borssele power plant in the Netherlands began in October at AREVA’s MELOX facility. EPZ, the Dutch utility that operates the 500MWe nuclear reactor in Borssele, decided to diversify its nuclear fuel supply in 2008, and chose AREVA to fabricate MOX fuel. This year EPZ received a governmental license for the authorisation to load in the reactor eight MOX assemblies in 2014.
The use of MOX fuel will enable EPZ to fully utilise the economic and environmental advantages associated with used fuel recycling. The Netherlands becomes the seventh country to use or have used MOX fuel in its nuclear reactors, including, among others, Germany, Switzerland, France and Japan.
A technological solution for the responsible management of natural resources and nuclear waste, recycling is developing on an international level. France and the United Kingdom already operate specialised facilities, Japan is developing currently its own industrial platform in partnership with AREVA, and China recently signed a letter of intent with the group to supply a used fuel treatment and recycling facility.