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Press Response – SMP New Rod Line
On 12 May 2010, the NDA confirmed that an agreement has been reached with the Japanese Utilities on the way forward for manufacturing Japanese fuel in the Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP).
After completion of the existing manufacturing campaign, a programme of engineering improvements will be made to enhance SMP’s performance to manufacture MOX fuel for Japanese customers. A key part of this programme will be the installation of a new rod line, which will ultimately replace the existing rod manufacturing line.
Following the sole source justification process, Sellafield Ltd is purchasing proprietary technology from AREVA which already has a proven track record in France. A contract has now been signed with them to design and supply the new rod line. Work on the new rod line project has commenced and its successful completion is critical to achieving the planned throughput in SMP to secure future long term operation.
The NMP consortium who took ownership of Sellafield Ltd in November 2008 includes the French company AREVA, who has considerable expertise in MOX fuel manufacture. AREVA has already provided support focused on improving SMP plant performance and has now committed to sharing their technology by supplying the new rod line for SMP.
The involvement of AREVA in making this engineering improvement to SMP will result in modifications to the rod manufacturing area with the aim of improving reliability to produce fuel at a higher rate than is currently being achieved.
Clearly the details of the contract are a commercial matter between AREVA and Sellafield Ltd.
Press Office
01 July 2010
