What will be Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant?
Ukraine will be the first in Europe to construct nuclear energy units using American technology. What does this signify?
The nation’s nuclear energy sector has taken a monumental leap forward. On December 17, 2023, Energoatom and Westinghouse Electric Company inked an agreement for procuring equipment for Unit 5 of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. This unit will be built utilizing American AR1000 technology. According to our plans with our partners, a total of nine such units are set to be erected, with the initial two slated for the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.
Why is this of paramount importance to Ukraine? In today’s reality, nuclear energy is arguably the sole reliable means of meeting the energy demands of both the populace and the economy with an ample supply of accessible energy. Thanks to the operation of nuclear power plants, we enjoy light and warmth in our homes despite rocket attacks. Furthermore, we are able to maintain electricity tariffs for the populace at half the market rate.
This is crucial not only for expanding our fleet of nuclear power units but also for modernizing nuclear technologies. Nuclear power plants stand as the primary source of energy in Ukraine, generating up to 55% of the country’s total electricity requirement, a need that will only grow during the country’s post-war recovery. The construction of new units grants us the ability to enhance the resilience of our energy system and the energy independence of our nation. Currently, there is no alternative as potent as nuclear generation today and in the immediate future.
The war has revealed who our true friends and dependable partners are. We have already forsaken Russian fuel and spare parts and put an end to Russian influence on Ukrainian nuclear technologies. As such, we are further fortifying our collaboration with American partners in this arena.
Furthermore, nuclear energy is inherently safe. The “green” transition to a carbon-free future is not merely a passing trend but rather a means of humanity’s survival. Thus, Ukraine must keep pace with progress, and the AR1000 technology represents one of the components of our nation’s clean and self-reliant future.
The reactors in question are third-generation nuclear facilities, characterized by their enhanced safety and maneuverability. Each AR1000 unit boasts an actual capacity of over 1100 MW, making it one of the most advanced technologies in nuclear energy, ensuring the maintenance of nuclear safety systems even in the event of blackouts or the absence of diesel generators or other power supply systems. Five such units have already been constructed and are operational in the United States and China, but they have yet to be deployed in Europe, despite the fact that numerous European nations have expressed intentions to build them.
So why is securing equipment for the construction of the initial unit so vital for Ukraine at this moment? Because it will significantly expedite the implementation of AR1000. After all, the fabrication of a nuclear island for a nuclear power plant necessitates at least three years.
It is important to note that we have guaranteed the continuation of our cooperation with Westinghouse, as Poland and Bulgaria have also expressed their readiness to acquire this equipment. Therefore, we are immensely grateful to Westinghouse for granting Ukraine priority in its acquisition, as the first among all European countries to declare its willingness to build nuclear units using this technology.
A substantial volume of pre-project and project work has already been completed, and the technical and economic justification is being prepared and undergoing examination. Successful negotiations with Westinghouse have led to agreements on the supply of pre-manufactured equipment, which is ready for shipment.
The overall cost of the equipment that Energoatom will receive amounts to $437 million, although the current market price is double that figure, representing only 50% of it. The total cost of constructing a single unit will be approximately $5 billion.
During the construction of the new units at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant, up to nine thousand jobs will be created. This will serve as a catalyst for the development of the entire Khmelnytskyi region, and the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant will ultimately become a leader in nuclear energy in Europe, surpassing even the largest nuclear power plant on the continent, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is currently under Russian military occupation.
We have reached a critical stage in a process that was initiated back in 2021 during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United States. I am profoundly grateful for the support of both the government and Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko, particularly for their role in making the decisions that enabled the signing of these contracts. Now, it is up to the Ukrainian Parliament to pass the necessary legislation, and we will commence the construction of these facilities.”
