Russia Spent Fuel Management Initiative: Economic Realities

Russia's Minatom is pursuing a new program aimed at providing spent fuel interim storage and reprocessing services for customers outside its normal customer base. The program offers four service options: (1) reprocessing with return of U, Pu and wastes for $600 to $1,000 per kg; (2) long-term storage of spent fuel followed by its return for $300 to $600 per kg; (3) long-term storage of spent fuel followed by reprocessing and return of U, Pu and wastes; and (4) long-term storage of spent fuel followed by reprocessing without return of U, Pu and wastes for $1,200 to $2,000 per kg. This paper examines the economic viability of Minatom's program when compared to spent fuel management alternatives already available in the world marketplace. It also identifies and addresses other issues associated with implementation of the program.