(Dan Tri) – Ukraine has begun construction of two US-designed reactors at a nuclear power plant in the west of the country.
Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant near the city of Netishyn, Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine (Photo: Reuters).
Workers at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant in Ukraine on April 11 poured a cubic meter of concrete representing reactors that will use American technology and fuel.
This project aims to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security and reduce dependence on Russian nuclear technology, according to AFP.
Guests present at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of two nuclear reactors of American design at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant included the head of Ukraine’s national nuclear operator (Energoatom) Petro Kotin, the Ministry of
Energoatom asked the press to report on the groundbreaking ceremony on April 13 due to fears of a Russian attack.
`This is our answer to the attackers. Today we are talking about the future, we are talking about stability, we are talking about the development of nuclear energy,` he said.
A sign placed at the factory reads `The future is nuclear energy`.
About half of Ukraine’s electricity is nuclear.
Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant has two operating reactors.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held to build reactors 5 and 6. These reactors will be built using Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology.
Each unit will have a capacity of over 1,100 megawatts and, according to Fragman, will be `the most advanced nuclear reactor operating in the world`.
EnergoAtom and Westinghouse did not say exactly when the reactors would come online.
Energoatom director Petro Kotin said that with all six reactors in operation, Khmelnytskyi will become the largest plant in Europe, surpassing Zaporizhzhia.
Russian nuclear energy agency Rosatom takes over the operation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant after Russia annexes the Zaporizhia region in the fall of 2022.
Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of conducting attacks with artillery, missiles and drones against the Zaporizhia factory, as well as continuously sending special forces to try to take control of this facility.
Ukrainian intelligence officials stated that Kiev was not involved in any attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, and accused Russia of carrying out these attacks.