Thread by @6point626

Onto the #nuclearsympo fuel session - Kazatomprom's Batyrbarev is talking about uranium delivery routes. Very hot topic for the company (and nuclear industry) right now. Notes that St Petersburg route is still open. They have even made one air delivery

Assistant secretary of US DOE Katy Huff talks about the need to double nuclear energy in USA (and indeed globally), creating huge additional demand for nuclear fuel #nuclearsympo

Euratom supply agency's Kazmierczak says straight up that as a result of war on Ukraine Russia has excluded itself as a reliable supplier of nuclear fuel services

She highlights conversion as being the part of the fuel cycle needing further investigation (and potential future diversification) #nuclearsympo

Huff agrees that conversion is the urgent priority for pursuing diversification in fuel cycle. Odeh (an enrichiment guy) agrees with Huff that conversion is the "pinch point" #nuclearsympo . Vehement agreement on this panel so far!

Batyrbayev answering a question on what it means to be so close to China (large and fast growing source of uranium demand). Clear that he's more worried about what happens when Chinese provinces lockdown and transport routes are interrupted #nuclearsympo

Batyrbayev promisese to share photos at the gala dinner proving that Kazakh uranium is getting to Chinese ports for distribution. Elicits a chuckle from the audience #nuclearsympo

Question to panel. Are there any alternatives to long term contracts for ensuring continuity and necessary investments in fuel cycle infrastructure? Batyrbayev notes that the U spot market (the alternative) is no longer a credible source for long term supply #nuclearsympo

Odeh addresses the question. Answer: no real alternative to long term contracts. At end of day they have to face up to investors/directors and justify capital expenditures

Huff notes that in the future the US wants to onshore more fuel cycle infrastructure and nuclear don't chain. But also Highlights the need for diversity of partners for ensuring supply. A (fuel) chain is only as strong as its weakest link #nuclearsympo

Kazmierczak mentions that EU currently gets all of its supply of HALEU (used for research and medical purposes) from 2 sources. It's clear she sees need for diversity #nuclearsympo

How to overcome chicken and egg problem of creating additional demand to justify additional supply? For HALEU US government is willing to act as the initial customer. US gov is also supporting initial deployment of SMRs and advanced reactors #nuclearsympo.

#nuclearsympo asked about what steps EC could take to bolster European fuel cycle capacity, Kazmierczak, gives a (frankly) disappointing answer - notes lack of political consensus for nuclear in EU. Not confident about support. Distinct difference between US and EU #nuclearsympo

Don't = fuel

Sharp eared observers have noted that I misheard (or perhaps imagined) the country - live tweeting is hard yo. The port was in Georgia - part of the transcaspian route. Key point - Kazatomprom is getting the uranium out!