Hungary wants to buy nuclear fuel from US: Will it affect supplies from Russia?
Photo: Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Foreign Minister (Getty Images)
Hungary plans to reach an agreement with the United States on the purchase of nuclear fuel. However, Budapest does not intend to stop importing Russian nuclear fuel, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Facebook.
According to him, Hungary needs more nuclear fuel "to increase its nuclear capacity." Therefore, while "maintaining ties with Russian suppliers," Budapest is starting negotiations on purchasing American nuclear fuel.
Szijjártó clarified that in this way, Hungary is diversifying its nuclear fuel procurement.
"In other words, in addition to our existing Russian connections, we are beginning talks to also purchase nuclear fuel from the United States, to ensure the safe operation of our nuclear facilities, increasing nuclear efficiency, and thereby enhancing the country’s competitiveness and protecting the achievements of reduced utility costs," the minister said.
Nuclear power in Hungary
Hungary currently has only one nuclear power plant – Paks.
The Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary was built according to a Soviet design and is equipped with VVER-440 reactors, which are designed to use Russian nuclear fuel. Under agreements concluded with the USSR in 1966 and extended in 1994, Hungary is obliged to purchase fuel from Russia for the entire lifespan of the plant, and the spent fuel is returned to the Russian side.
Switching to alternative suppliers is extremely difficult: Western manufacturers currently do not have certified fuel assemblies for VVER-440 reactors, and the adaptation and licensing process would take years.
It is worth noting that the European Commission has already developed a plan that envisages a complete EU phase-out of Russian energy resources. In particular, it includes the cessation of imports of Russian nuclear fuel. This plan did not sit well with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
