Aerial view of the Gösgen nuclear power plant
Located in Switzerland, the Gösgen NPP is managed by KKG, which represents five stakeholders: Alpiq AG with a 40% share, Axpo Power AG with 25%, the City of Zurich holding 15%, Centralschweizerische Kraftwerke with 12.5%, and Energie Wasser Bern owning 7.5%. This single-unit facility, a 1010 MWe pressurized water reactor, has been operational since November 1979. It plays a key role in Switzerland’s energy supply, producing approximately 13% of the nation’s electricity.
Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President of Framatome’s Fuel Business Unit, highlighted the partnership’s history: “KKG is a longstanding customer, and Framatome has supplied fuel to the Gösgen plant for decades. We are pleased to continue to support KKG through the long-term delivery of our safe, reliable and high-performance HTP fuel.” This statement underscores the trust and collaboration built over years between the two entities.
The partnership between Framatome and KKG spans more than 45 years, focusing on fuel innovation and development. Their joint efforts have included extensive material irradiation studies and the testing of advanced fuel designs, such as Framatome’s PROtect Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel (E-ATF). In 2016, Gösgen NPP became the first site to trial E-ATF technology. By 2024, it achieved a global milestone as the first reactor to operate with full-length fuel rods exceeding 60 GWd/tU, marking a significant advancement in nuclear fuel efficiency.
The Gösgen NPP relies on imported fuel assemblies, and this contract ensures a steady supply to meet its operational needs without impacting domestic consumption patterns. The agreement reflects a commitment to maintaining reliable energy production while advancing nuclear technology through international cooperation. Both Framatome and KKG aim to uphold safety and performance standards as they extend their collaboration into the future.
