Ukraine to build four nuclear reactors amid power supply disruption
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Kyiv: Amidst Russia's seizure of Ukraine's largest nuclear plant, the Ukrainian energy ministry announced plans to commence the construction of four new nuclear reactors this year.
Energy Minister German Galushchenko revealed that all four reactors would be situated at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant in western Ukraine, with the goal of eventually making it the largest nuclear facility in Europe, reported AFP.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, currently Europe's largest, has been under Russian control since March 2022, leading to the shutdown of its six reactors. Fierce fighting in the region, coupled with power cuts, raised concerns about the plant's operational capabilities, as it requires electricity and water for cooling systems.
The Khmelnytskyi plant will incorporate two reactors designed in the United States, marking a significant expansion from its current two reactors. Minister Galushchenko outlined the plan, stating, "With the power that six reactors at Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant will be able to produce, it will be the largest in Europe and even more powerful than Zaporizhzhia."
The construction project, expected to span several years, aims to have the third reactor operational in approximately two and a half years, followed by the completion of the remaining reactors.
The Khmelnytskyi plant, initially constructed in 1981 and commissioned after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, had halted the construction of reactors three and four due to a moratorium on new nuclear projects. The new plan involves deploying two AP1000 reactors designed by U.S. company Westinghouse, while the previously planned reactors will follow a Soviet VVER-1000 design.
The Khmelnytskyi power plant has faced challenges since Russia's invasion, including power outages and structural damage from nearby explosions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the Zaporizhzhia plant, surrounded by landmines, poses a breach of safety standards. The move to construct additional reactors reflects Ukraine's commitment to addressing power supply disruptions and enhancing its nuclear energy capabilities.