CEZ to switch to Russian nuclear fuel in 2010

PRAGUE Oct 19 (Reuters) - Czech power group CEZ (CEZPsp.PR) will immediately switch to nuclear fuel provided by Russia's TVEL for its Temelin power plant in 2010 instead of doing so in phases as previously planned, a CEZ spokeswoman said on Monday.

The decision means CEZ will lose money on the unused fuel from Toshiba Corp's (6502.T) Westinghouse but the utility said the Russian fuel would boost the output of the reactor, making it more cost efficient.

"The unused fuel will certainly be a loss, but on the other hand it will be compensated by being able to increase the output of the reactor," CEZ spokeswoman Eva Novakova said.

CEZ had considered using both types of fuel temporarily in Temelin's two reactors but in the end decided that option would be far more complicated than simply not using the fuel bought from Westinghouse.

CEZ said boosting performance of the reactors and reduced downtimes using the Russian fuel would help it meet a goal of raising 2012 production at its two nuclear power plants to 31 terawatt hours from the current 26 terawatt hours. (Reporting by Jan Korselt, writing by Michael Kahn, Editing by Sue Thomas)