On Wednesday, Areva announced it has extended its contract with Xcel Energy to provide fuel to the Monticello nuclear plant in Minnesota.
According to a release from the French company's U.S. subsidiary, the contract adds two fuel loads to a six-fuel-load contract signed in 2012. Areva will provide the natural uranium, conversion, enrichment services, fuel fabrication and deliveries until 2029. The cost of the additional Atrium 10XM fuel assemblies was not announced. In 2012, the value of the original six-load contract was reported at $500 million.
Monticello is a General Electric type 3 boiling water reactor located 35 miles northwest of Minneapolis, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Xcel Energy also operates two Westinghouse pressurized water reactors at the Prairie Island plant southeast of the city.