The French fuel is described as high-assay low-enriched uranium, with enrichment between 5 and 20 percent. The comparison uses 20 percent or more for the highly enriched uranium associated with British and American reactors. Lower enrichment is linked here with less power from the fuel and more frequent refuelling, although the carrier's two reactors are described as providing ample shaft power. The quoted 20-to-25-year interval is theoretical, and the earlier 2007-08 refuelling is explained as a way to retain reliable core performance.
Notable Point · 29:31-31:02
Reactor enrichment and the decision to refuel early
The fuel comparison links lower enrichment with refuelling and power trade-offs, while explaining the 2007-08 refuelling as a choice to protect reliable core performance.