US-based Westinghouse Electric Company and Ukrainian nuclear utility Energoatom on 31 August signed an exclusive agreement to bring Westinghouse AP1000 reactors to multiple sites in Ukraine. The signing took place at the Department of Energy (DOE) Headquarters in Washington, DC, and was witnessed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and the Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko.
Energoatom has selected Westinghouse AP1000 technology for their long-term goals to develop new NPPs in Ukraine. The agreement solidifies Westinghouse and Energoatom to pursue the AP1000 reactor projects and help Ukraine reach its de-carbonisation goals utilising clean, reliable, and cost-effective nuclear energy.
“In the long run application of US AP1000 technology – a proven Gen III+ reactor design of around 1100 MW with passive safety systems and unique features such as standardisation which will reduce construction time and cost – will allow Energoatom to ensure the highest level of safety, reliable nuclear generation, innovation, and care for the environment,” said Petro Kotin, Acting President of Energoatom.
“Westinghouse is proud to support Ukraine’s current operating fleet with our industry-leading fuels and services. This agreement further strengthens our long-standing partnership with Energoatom. It represents a pivotal point in advancing Ukraine’s carbon free energy future by using the world’s leading nuclear reactor to meet their long-term energy needs,” said Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and CEO.
Westinghouse AP1000 technology is the only Generation III+ reactor technology licensed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and in several countries in Europe and Asia. Four AP1000 units are setting operational performance records in China in commissioning and refuelling outage duration, with outstanding capacity factors. Two AP1000 units are nearing completion at the Vogtle site in the US. Westinghouse said the AP1000 technology has been selected for a six-unit project in India and is under consideration by several countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, and utilities in the USA.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the agreement. Completion of unit 4 at the Khmelnitsky NPP has been identified as a pilot project, and in the future the parties are to build four more power units using AP1000 technology. The total cost of the project will be up to $30 billion. Zelensky was on a working visit to the USA at the invitation of US President Joseph Biden. The Ukrainian delegation includes the Energy Minister Galushchenko and Energoatom Actin President Kotin.
Also on 31 August Ukrainian Energy Minister Galushchenko US Energy Secretary Granholm signed a joint statement to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy and climate. The joint statement envisages strengthening cooperation in corporate governance at state-owned enterprises in the energy sector of Ukraine, in particular, through the involvement of international independent supervisory boards.
The document sets out US readiness to assist Ukraine in developing more competitive and transparent energy markets, decarbonising the economy, and ensuring the country's energy security and export potential through the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy sector plan for mutually beneficial cooperation in the nuclear and energy sectors; hydrogen; energy storage; carbon capture, use and storage; cyber and physical security; and other technologies.
Photo: Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President and Chief Executive Officer, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Petro Kotin, Acting President of NNEGC Energoatom
