Up to 20 small modular reactors will be built in Ukraine

“The agreement envisions the construction of up to 20 SMR-160 reactors, with the implementation of the first pilot project and turning to the minimum regulated capacity of the reactor and connection to the grid by March 2029. The document also provides for more profound cooperation between the companies aimed at strengthening of energy security of Ukraine,” Energoatom posted on Facebook.

As noted, on April 21, 2023, President of SE “NNEGC “Energoatom” Petro Kotin and President and CEO of Holtec International Kris Singh signed a Cooperation Agreement on the deployment of small modular reactors (SMR). Petro Kotin signed the Agreement in Kyiv, and Dr. Kris Singh signed it in Camden, New Jersey.  The ceremony was attended by Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko and Holtec International’s Vice President for Ukraine Operations Riaz Awan.

As Minister Galushchenko stressed, the construction of SMRs in Ukraine will contribute to the strengthening of the energy security of Ukraine and allow replacing thermal power capacities destroyed by Russian attacks and gaining de-carbonization goals.

“Ukraine boasts significant human potential for the development of leading nuclear technologies and will make maximum efforts, in particular in cooperation with the U.S. partners, to oust the Russian nuclear industry from the global market. SMR is a powerful technology which will also allow decentralization of the power generation,” he added.

In turn, the President of Energoatom emphasized that “the Agreement with Holtec International is based on 20-years’ experience of successful cooperation between the two companies. It will allow implement promising, safe, clean, reliable, and efficient technologies of small modular reactors and establish Ukraine as the world’s leading country in the area of clean energy.”

The projects require powerful investments into the national energy sector as a whole and into the nuclear energy sector, in particular.

To implement the projects and to enhance the coordination of actions, a Joint Project Office will be established composed of representatives of SE “NNEG “Energoatom”, Holtec International as well as of representatives of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, and world-renowned companies Mitsubishi, Hyundai, etc.

“Holtec International has the distinct honor and privilege to sign the Cooperation Agreement with Energoatom for the deployment of our SMR-160 Advanced Nuclear Reactors in Ukraine. We are grateful to Honorable Minister of Energy Galushchenko and Honorable President of Energoatom who represent the Government of Ukraine for reestablishing the confidence of your nation in our company by selecting our supremely safe SMR-160 reactors and Holtec International as a partner to cater to the needs of your state in clean energy,” Doctor Kris Singh said at the signing ceremony.

He stressed that Holtec International will help build and put in operation 20 reactors of SMR-160 design within an extremely short time period.

“We are eager to help the people of Ukraine in rebuilding the energy infrastructure after the Russian aggressors have been ousted from the country,” Singh added.

As a reminder, Holtec International was a contractor for the construction of the Central Spent Fuel Storage Facility which was put into operation in April 2022.

Photos: Energoatom