BWR Fuel Reload Contract for Forsmark

Vattenfall has awarded GENUSA a long-term contract beginning in 2028 to supply multiple reloads of GNF2 boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel for the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant. The agreement formalizes continued cooperation between reactor fuel designer Global Nuclear Fuel and Spanish manufacturer ENUSA to support stable and cost-efficient electricity generation in Sweden.

Context of the Cooperation
GENUSA (GNF ENUSA Nuclear Fuel S.A.) is jointly owned by Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) and ENUSA Industrias Avanzadas S.A. The structure combines GNF’s BWR fuel design and engineering capabilities with ENUSA’s European fuel manufacturing infrastructure.

The Forsmark plant, operated by Vattenfall, uses boiling water reactor technology and requires periodic fuel reloads during scheduled refueling outages. Fuel performance directly affects reactor thermal output, outage intervals, and operational margins. Cooperation between a fuel designer and a European manufacturer enables compliance with local regulatory requirements, logistics constraints, and long-term supply continuity.

ENUSA has manufactured more than 3,500 GNF-designed fuel assemblies for Forsmark since 1993, establishing an installed performance base under Nordic operating conditions.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The contract covers reloads of GNF2, a high-performance BWR fuel assembly platform developed by Global Nuclear Fuel. The design focuses on optimizing fuel utilization, thermal margins, and hydraulic performance within licensed reactor operating limits.

Responsibilities are divided as follows:
Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF):

ENUSA:

The GNF2 assemblies incorporate Defender™ PLUS debris filter technology. These bottom-nozzle filters are engineered to reduce the probability of foreign material entering the fuel bundle from feedwater systems. By mitigating debris-induced fretting, the design supports cladding integrity and reduces the risk of fuel rod failure, contributing to operational reliability and radiation protection objectives.

Deployment and Industrial Integration
Fuel fabrication will take place at ENUSA’s Nuclear Fuel Manufacturing Plant in Juzbado, which has supplied more than 12,600 BWR fuel assemblies across Europe. The facility integrates GNF design specifications into a licensed manufacturing workflow covering uranium handling, pellet production, rod loading, assembly fabrication, and inspection.

The reloads will be delivered in accordance with Forsmark’s outage schedule starting in 2028. Integration includes compatibility with existing core configurations, fuel handling systems, and reactor safety analysis documentation.

Applications and Expected Impact
The cooperation supports commercial nuclear power generation in Sweden, contributing to grid stability and low-carbon electricity supply. In operational terms, high-performance BWR fuel such as GNF2 enables:

By combining GNF’s reactor engineering expertise with ENUSA’s European manufacturing capacity, GENUSA provides a localized yet technically integrated supply model. This approach strengthens long-term fuel security while maintaining compliance with reactor licensing and safety requirements.

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