Nuclear power in Ukraine
[4] In 2021, Ukraine's nuclear reactors produced 81 TWh — over 55% of its total electricity generation,[5] and the second-highest share in the world, behind only France.
In 2006, the government planned to build 11 new reactors by the year 2030, which would almost double the current amount of nuclear power capacity.
1 [uk] of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR was organized within the institute, which took an active part in the development of the Soviet nuclear bomb.
In the second half of the 20th century, UIPT was actively engaged in nuclear energy of the USSR, introducing new technologies and equipment into the industry.
An explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere, which spread over much of Western USSR and Europe.
[8] The battle to contain the contamination and avert a greater catastrophe ultimately involved over 500,000 workers and cost an estimated 18 billion rubles, crippling the Soviet economy.
[10][11] Since 2014 Westinghouse's share of imports grew to more than 30% in 2016 due to strong social disapproval of any economic relations with Russia after the annexation of Crimea.
In 2011 Energoatom began a project to bring safety into line with international standards at an estimated cost of $1.8 billion, with a target completion date of 2017.
[13] In 2015 some government agencies made corruption allegations against Energoatom, with concerns raised by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
[18] In 2008 Westinghouse Electric Company won a five-year contract to supply nuclear fuel to three Ukrainian reactors starting in 2011.
[19] Following Euromaidan, then President Viktor Yanukovych introduced a ban on Rosatom nuclear fuel shipments to Europe via Ukraine, which was in effect from 28 January until 6 March 2014.
[22] In 2019 Energoatom and Turboatom signed a five-year contract to modernize condensers and turbines at a number of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
On October 6, 2021, the loading of 37 fuel assemblies was completed and the physical start-up of the Neutron Source nuclear subcritical installation was carried out.
It continues to operate and supply data, including from a remote monitoring system, to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
[27][28] On 6 June, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said "at least five of the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security have been compromised" in Russia's occupation of the plant,[29] and after attacks in August, that all seven had been breached.
[41] The issue of lifting the Russian monopoly on the supply of fresh nuclear fuel to Ukraine was raised back in 1998.
Also, the production of components (heads and shanks) for Westinghouse fuel cartridges will be launched at the facilities of the Ukrainian enterprise "Atomenergomash".
The American company Holtec chose Ukraine as a place for the construction of a new enterprise for the production of small modular reactors.
The signed tripartite agreement provides for the creation of an international consortium, the purpose of which is to promote the implementation of SMR-160 small modular reactor (SMR) technology in Ukraine.
On April 17, 2024, Energoatom and the Holtec International announced the creation of production of components for small modular reactors in Ukraine.
At the moment, the plant has processed 34 "packages", which, after exposure and radiation control, will be directed to burial in a special near-surface storage of solid radioactive waste.
Since 2001, negotiations have been held between Energoatom, the Ukrainian authorities and foreign companies regarding the construction of a Centralized Storage Facility for spent nuclear fuel in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
On April 25, 2022, the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine issued a permit to SE "NAEK 'Energoatom'" to carry out activities, which was expected as early as March 9, but was postponed due to Russian aggression and the presence of occupying troops in the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
