Ukraine is preparing nuclear power plants for maximum load for the heating season. Scheduled repairs have been completed on four power units, and by mid-November, it is planned to reach full capacity of all power units.
The head of NNEGC “Energoatom” Pavlo Kovtonyuk noted that the main task is to achieve the maximum capacity of nuclear power units before the start of the heating season. Currently, nine power units are in operation at the South Ukrainian, Rivne, and Khmelnytskyi NPPs with a total capacity of 7880 MW, which are located in the territory controlled by Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia NPP with six power units with a total capacity of 6000 MW has not been generating electricity since September 2022 due to occupation.
Kovtonyuk expressed concern about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, where equipment continues to degrade, personnel is critically lacking, and regular power supply interruptions threaten nuclear and radiation safety. According to the assessment of the IAEA Director General, the situation at Ukrainian NPPs is “extremely challenging”.
Experts emphasize that restoring the capacities of Ukrainian nuclear power plants is critical to ensure the stability of electricity supply in winter. This will help avoid an energy crisis and reduce dependence on other types of energy.
