Exclusive-Ukraine hopes to start installing nuclear reactors from Bulgaria in June

In an interview with Reuters, the head of nuclear firm Energoatom announced that Ukraine is aiming to purchase two nuclear reactors from Bulgaria in June. This move comes as Ukraine looks to offset the loss of its Zaporizhzhia plant, which is now under Russian control after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The new reactors, to be located at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant in western Ukraine, will be equipped with Russian-designed equipment imported from Bulgaria.

With negotiations ongoing between Ukraine and Bulgaria, Energoatom is hopeful to finalize the deal by June and have the first reactor ready for installation at Khmelnytskyi soon after. The company is also in talks with General Electric to manufacture the turbine for the new reactor, which would take two to three years to complete.

While Bulgaria initially priced the two reactors at $600 million, they are now seeking to increase the price. Energoatom remains focused on the $600 million price tag, as the equipment can only be purchased from Bulgaria or Russia. Plans are also in place to build two more reactors at Khmelnytskyi using the American AP-1000 reactor design, with construction set to begin in early April.

Since the loss of the Zaporizhzhia plant, Ukraine has been relying on nuclear power from three operating plants with a total of nine reactors. Kotin emphasized that Ukraine has not given up on the idea of restarting Zaporizhzhia and believes they possess the capability to do so, unlike Russia.

Energoatom, which still employs the staff that operated Zaporizhzhia, is prepared to restart the plant once it is no longer under Russian control. Special teams have been trained for this purpose. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam has hindered the plant’s operations, as it has lost its water supply from the Dnipro River.

Currently, only one reactor at the station can operate for a limited period due to water shortages for cooling systems. To restart the plant, either the Kakhovka dam must be rebuilt or alternative measures such as building pumps to supply water from the Dnipro need to be implemented. Kotin estimates that these measures would take about two years to complete.

Despite Russia’s claims that they will restart the Zaporizhzhia plant, Kotin pointed out the technical challenges they face, such as the lack of infrastructure and personnel. Ukrainian troops have faced difficulties in mounting a successful counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian defensive lines remain strong.

Looking ahead, Energoatom remains optimistic about the future of nuclear power in Ukraine, with plans to expand and enhance their capabilities at the Khmelnytskyi plant. The completion of the deal with Bulgaria for the two new reactors would be a significant step towards ensuring Ukraine’s energy security and independence.

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, Energoatom is focused on overcoming challenges and preparing for a future where nuclear energy plays a crucial role in the country’s energy infrastructure.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by Tom Balmforth and Susan Fenton)