Ukraine’s nuclear enterprise Energoatom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with nuclear power industry leader Westinghouse, for the deployment of the company’s AP1000 reactors in Ukraine. The Memorandum will strengthen both companies and help the country achieve decarbonisation goals using clean, reliable and affordable nuclear energy.
According to the MoU, Westinghouse will participate in the completion of the Khmelnytskyy NPP power unit 4 using AP1000 technology as well as four more power units of other nuclear power plants in Ukraine. The total estimated cost of the project is about 30 billion US dollars.
“In the long run, the employment of US AP1000 technology – a proven Generation III+ reactor with an electrical output of about 1100 MW [megawatts], passive safety systems and unique standardisation features, which allow reducing construction time and cost – will enable Energoatom to ensure the highest level of safety, reliable operation of nuclear generation, its innovation as well as careful attitude to the environment,” stated the head of Energoatom, Petro Kotin.
“Westinghouse is proud to support the existing fleet of operating Ukrainian NPPs by supplying its industry-leading fuel and services,” added Patrick Fragman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westinghouse. “This agreement further strengthens our time-tested partnership with Energoatom. This is an important step towards bringing Ukraine’s future of zero-carbon power industry closer by using the world’s leading nuclear reactor to meet long-term needs.”
The AP1000 PWR is a proven Generation III+ reactor. It has unique, completely passive safety systems, modular standard design, high performance as well as the ability to operate in shunting mode. This technology provides advantages in procurement, construction, licensing, operation, maintenance and localisation.
Following the signing of the MoU, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko, Energoatom’s Petro Kotin and Westinghouse’s Patrick Fragman discussed topical issues of bilateral Ukrainian-American cooperation in the energy sector.
The parties, inter alia, discussed plans for further development of Ukrainian-American cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, in particular on the implementation of joint projects and Ukraine’s European integration aspirations, as well as opportunities to involve US institutions in their financing. Furthermore, the parties signed a letter of intent, setting out the agreements reached and defining the details of future cooperation.
Photo: Energoatom
