New York Times: Hungary-USA nuclear deal underway? What will Putin say?

There is a giant US nuclear company called Westinghouse. The New York Times wrote that even Hungary enquired about a possible nuclear fuel deal to provide enough fuel for its power plant in Paks. The article focuses on European energy dependence.

New nuclear deal on the horizon?

PM Viktor Orbán closed the deal about building new reactors for the Paks nuclear power plant before the 2014 general elections. He knew he would win because the opposition parties were fractioned then. In the contract, the two parties made clear that the new blocks would be built by Russian companies and using Russian technology. Furthermore, their fuel will also come from the Eastern giant. As a result, Orbán’s cabinet signed the long-term energy dependence of the country then.

However, the investment progresses very slowly, 444.hu wrote. Last autumn, they started to cement the foundation of the buildings, but that was not much. The new reactors will not work for years. That is a big question whether Russia can provide fuel for them considering the rising number of EU sanctions.

• Read also: The United States unilaterally terminated crucial treaty with Hungary

Interestingly, Tarik Choho, the nuclear fuel department head of the American company, cited Hungary as an example of how European countries try to get rid of their Russian suppliers. “Even Hungary wants to diversify”, he said. The Orbán cabinet would like to buy fuel from the Americans even though they are “the closest allies of Russia”, he added.

Of course, finding reactor fuel is not easy. Most reactors favour the nuclear fuel their builders produce. For example, Rosatom reactors consume Rosatom fuel rods. However, there are examples when Russian reactors are used with American rods. One is the Czech Republic, but that block is not similar to the one under design for Paks.

• Read also: Hungary might operate small nuclear reactor with American technology

Orbán to meet Macron on Monday

Source: MTI, 444.hu