Completion of Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant: How the Energoatom project will enhance Ukraine's energy security.

The national company "Energoatom" is actively advancing the project to complete the construction of the third and fourth power units of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The new units will significantly reduce the electricity deficit and are expected to start delivering the first kilowatt-hours to the grid within 2.5 to 4 years. This article by journalist Dmytro Sidorov for RBK-Ukraine details what has already been achieved, the current stage of the project's implementation, and its significance for the recovery of the economy.

Frequent power outages have become a common occurrence for Ukrainians, as the situation in the energy system remains challenging due to ongoing shelling from Russia. The aggressor country is targeting power plants, substations, and electrical transmission lines. As a result, Ukraine is facing a significant electricity deficit for the third consecutive winter. To address this issue, the construction of new generation capacities is critically necessary.

One of the projects aimed at creating a powerful and reliable source of electricity is the completion of the third and fourth power units of the Khmelnytskyi NPP. This project is being implemented by the operator of nuclear power plants – NAEC "Energoatom". The company has highlighted several advantages of the project: a high degree of construction readiness of the mentioned power units (75% for the third unit and 28% for the fourth) and the opportunity to purchase already completed reactor installations from Bulgaria, allowing for relatively quick completion (2.5–4 years).

The "Energoatom" project aligns with the vision of the country's leadership, which has identified nuclear energy as a priority for the future. Specifically, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of developing nuclear energy during the presentation of the Resilience Plan.

"Thanks to its energy capabilities, Ukraine can be geopolitically one of the leaders in Europe. Of course, this is more relevant in the post-war period, but we must create the prerequisites for this now. Nuclear generation is our obvious priority," Zelensky stated while addressing the parliament on November 19, 2024.

Prerequisites for Project Implementation

One of the advantages of the project is that the availability of ready-made construction structures significantly reduces the cost of the completion estimate. "Building a nuclear power unit from scratch is very expensive; one unit costs about $10 billion. Therefore, given the high level of readiness, it will be much easier and cheaper to complete the existing units," noted Boris Kushniruk, head of the expert-analytical council of the "Ukrainian Analytical Center," in a comment to RBK-Ukraine.

In addition to the factor of already prepared structures for the third and fourth units, it is also important to highlight the presence of highly qualified Ukrainian personnel and facilities to finish constructing the nuclear power units. This opinion was previously expressed by Yuri Malakhov, advisor to the chairman of the board of the "Kyiv Scientific Research and Design Institute of Energy Project."

"Our country has a sufficient technical base and qualified specialists in design, construction, and operation. About 75% of the equipment for the Khmelnytskyi NPP was produced in Ukraine, and this potential can be restored. We have the capacities to manufacture pipes, cable products, pumping equipment, and other necessary components. Moreover, it is important to note that it was the Kyiv Institute of "Energy Project" that developed the project for the power units, starting from the site selection stage... We have everything necessary for the project's implementation," Malakhov said.

Furthermore, "Energoatom" has already found a supplier for the reactor equipment – Bulgaria. "There is an agreement with Bulgaria for the prompt delivery of nuclear reactor equipment for these power units at more than acceptable prices," said acting chairman of "Energoatom" Petro Kotin in July this year.

The fact is that the third and fourth power units were designed for WWER-1000 type reactors, the sole manufacturer of which is currently Russia. However, almost all operational Ukrainian power units are built with such reactors, and moreover, over the years of independence, Ukraine has successfully replaced all Russian equipment, including the refusal to purchase Russian nuclear fuel, opting instead to cooperate with an alternative supplier – the American company Westinghouse.

Within this project, the Ukrainian side has once again successfully found an alternative to signing a contract with the Russians – the purchase from Bulgaria of two reactors that it acquired six years ago from the Russian "Atomstroyexport" (a subsidiary of "Rosatom") but never used. This approach allows for the relatively quick construction of the Khmelnytskyi NPP units, as there is no need to spend time manufacturing new reactor installations and interacting with the aggressor country.

At the same time, "Energoatom" is actively conducting preparatory work at the Khmelnytskyi NPP site, preparing the areas for the third and fourth units for the commencement of more extensive operations. In particular, the company has equipped the construction site with the necessary special equipment, and contractors are preparing the required tools for work. The Ukrainian operator has also involved the American engineering company Westinghouse in this project, which is a producer of nuclear fuel for Ukrainian WWER-1000 and WWER-440 reactors. The partner will be responsible for analyzing aspects that need to be added to the original project of the power units to enhance their safety level.

In a comment to RBK-Ukraine, Ivan Us, chief consultant at the National Institute for Strategic Studies and a candidate of economic sciences, drew attention to security issues. According to him, the likelihood of an attack by Russian drones or missiles on nuclear generation remains lower compared to other power plants.

"We see that the Russian Federation systematically inflicts damage on Ukraine's generation, but does not touch nuclear generation. I think this is not accidental. Russia's partners – China and India – are signaling to the aggressor country that it should not cross boundaries and attack nuclear energy facilities. This means that the likelihood of an attack on nuclear power plants is lower compared to other types of energy generation. In my opinion, this is a motivating factor for building new nuclear generation," Us commented.

An important condition for the project's implementation is the experience Ukraine has in completing nuclear power units during its years of independence. This was previously emphasized by Yuri Sapozhnikov, chairman of the board of the "Kyiv Scientific Research and Design Institute of Energy Project." He noted that the construction structures of the third and fourth units have already been tested and deemed reliable for continuation, and they could serve for at least 50 years after the units are commissioned.

"Ukraine already has experience in completing the construction of nuclear power units as an independent state. Now we must once again activate these efforts, as completing the Khmelnytskyi NPP is not just a matter of energy, but also of the economy and national security. This is not merely a project; it is a strategic investment in the country's future," Sapozhnikov emphasized.

Legislative Framework

According to current legislation, it is impossible to begin the construction of a nuclear power unit in Ukraine without the approval of the Verkhovna Rada. Therefore, back in April of this year, the draft law "On the Placement, Design, and Construction of Power Units No. 3 and No. 4 of the Khmelnytskyi NPP" was submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers for consideration by the relevant parliamentary committee.

On June 17, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Energy and Housing and Communal Services approved the draft law, which is currently awaiting its first reading in parliament.

During the committee's discussion, the draft law received positive feedback from many parliament members. In particular, the representative from "Servant of the People," Serhiy Nahorniak, expressed confidence that the plans to build additional nuclear power units put forth by "Energoatom" are achievable.

The adoption of this draft law will pave the way for "Energoatom" to negotiate with financial institutions for attracting credit financing, and to further conclude contracts with equipment suppliers and contracting organizations for project, construction, and installation works.

Who Supported the Completion of the Khmelnytskyi NPP

The project has also received support from international stakeholders. In particular, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stated on December 5 that "Energoatom's" plans to complete the two power units of the Khmelnytskyi NPP are timely, and he wished for the further advancement of the project. He also initiated the work of a technical support mission that will assist in integrating new components into the existing equipment at the Khmelnytskyi NPP site, significantly enhancing the project's credibility in terms of nuclear safety.

Photo: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi (Getty Images)

In an article dated November 5, 2024, senior research fellow at the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies, Steven Blank, noted the geopolitical significance of the project and emphasized that it is crucial for Bulgaria and Western countries not to miss the opportunity to support Ukraine in completing the power units of the Khmelnytskyi NPP.

"Transferring surplus nuclear equipment from Bulgaria