Russia begins nuclear fuel production for lead-cooled fast reactor project

Russia's state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, has begun pilot operations at its nuclear fuel fabrication facility for the BREST-OD-300 reactor. This reactor is a lead-cooled fast neutron type and represents a significant step in developing Generation IV nuclear technology. The facility, located in Seversk, has already produced mockup fuel bundles using depleted uranium nitride. Rosatom plans to manufacture over 200 mixed dense nitride uranium-plutonium fuel bundles for the reactor, which will be the world's first lead-cooled fast reactor. This project aims to create a closed nuclear fuel cycle, allowing for efficient fuel use and reduced waste. The complex will include fuel fabrication, a nuclear power plant, and a reprocessing unit, making it largely self-sufficient in energy resources.