The Kazakh-Chinese joint venture, Ulba-TVS LLP, has successfully reached its target production capacity of 200 tons of low-enriched uranium fuel assemblies by the end of 2024. This achievement is enough to reload nuclear fuel for six reactors.
The Ulba-TVS plant, operational since November 2021, has played a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for nuclear power in China. The facility, located in Kazakhstan, is the only one in Central Asia dedicated to producing nuclear fuel for power plants. It has received certification from Framatome and recognition as a certified nuclear fuel supplier from the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC-URC), the end user in China. This certification enhances the plant’s credibility and ensures the high quality of its nuclear fuel products.
The joint venture is 51% owned by Ulba Metallurgical Plant (Kazatomprom) and 49% by CGNPC-URC. In December 2022, Ulba-TVS delivered its first consignment of fuel assemblies to a Chinese nuclear power plant. Kazatomprom is the world’s largest producer of uranium, with the company’s attributable production representing approximately 20% of global primary uranium production in 2023.
