The Technology section is powered by Favbet Tech
Ukraine plans to begin construction of four new nuclear reactors this summer or fall as the country seeks to make up for the energy lost due to the war with Russia. This was announced by the Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko.
The two power units, including reactors and related equipment, will be based on Russian-made equipment that Ukraine wants to import from Bulgaria. For the construction of two other power units, Western technologies of the power equipment manufacturer Westinghouse will be used. All four reactors will be built at the Khmelnytskyi NPP.
“I think (we will start construction) in the summer-autumn,” Galushchenko said. “We need vessels,” he added, referring to the pressurized reactor cores that would have to be imported. “We want to build the third and fourth units right now.”
Construction of the third and fourth power units of the Khmelnytsky NPP began in the 1980s, but was frozen. Since the declaration of independence in 1991, Ukraine has built 3 new nuclear reactors – one each at the Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and Rivne NPPs.
Today, 3 nuclear power plants in the controlled territory produce more than 55% of the country’s electricity needs. However, the country needs additional generating capacity to compensate for the loss of Zaporizhzhya NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Russia seized the power plant at the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Currently, 6 of its nuclear reactors are idle.
“We want to compensate Zaporizhzhia with the 3rd and 4th (Khmelnytskyi power units), and we are currently negotiating with our Bulgarian partners about the two reactors that we want to take away,” Galushchenko said.
If the reactor housings are promptly obtained, it is possible to complete work on the third power unit in approximately 2.5 years.
In parallel with the construction of the Soviet-era VVER-1000 power units, Ukraine wants to start preparatory construction works for the placement of two modern Western AP-1000 power units. They are also planned to be built as part of the Khmelnytsky NPP. However, it is still necessary to adopt the necessary legislative acts before the Verkhovna Rada.
In December, the energy company “Energoatom” and Westinghouse signed an agreement on the purchase of equipment for the fifth power unit of the Khmelnytsky NPP in the amount of $437.5 million.
The first mini-nuclear power plant in the USA – for nothing. Why NuScale closed the project and when to expect small modular reactors in Ukraine (spoiler: not soon)
Source: reuters
The Technology section is powered by Favbet Tech
Favbet Tech is an IT company with 100% Ukrainian DNA, which creates perfect services for iGaming and Betting using advanced technologies and provides access to them. Favbet Tech develops innovative software through a complex multi-component platform capable of withstanding huge loads and creating a unique experience for players. The IT company is part of the FAVBET group of companies.
