Ukrainian nuclear power - World Nuclear

Germany to provide an additional 1 million euros to help address nuclear safety issues at the Zaporizhzhia NPP

Germany will provide an additional 1 million euros to help address nuclear safety issues at the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Recently, according to the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, the German government will provide an additional 1 million euros in aid to improve the safety level of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, is expected to formally announce this additional 1 million euros in funding on Tuesday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. Previously, Germany had cumulatively provided 7.3 million euros in financial support to the IAEA's nuclear safety and security work in Ukraine. Since...

2026-09-16

Alexey Likhachev: The situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is severe; the IAEA should not merely stop at recording attacks and issuing danger warnings

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, told the media during the IAEA General Conference held in Vienna, Austria, that if a disaster occurs at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which is under continuous shelling by the Ukrainian military, a radioactive cloud could spread to Vienna within tens of hours. Likhachev pointed out that the Ukrainian attacks have created unbearable living conditions for the residents of Enerhodar, the city where the nuclear power plant is located, and that other Russian nuclear power plants are also currently frequently attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Likhachev emphasized that the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, located within the territory of the Russian Federation and operated and maintained by Russian citizens, ...

2026-09-15

UK Nuclear Industry Association and Ukrainian Nuclear Forum Sign Nuclear Energy Cooperation Memorandum

On September 10, 2026, the UK Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) and the Ukrainian Nuclear Forum signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation in areas including decommissioning of complex nuclear facilities, deployment of small modular reactors, and securing "trusted partner" status under the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). Nuclear energy is an important source of Ukraine's wartime electricity supply, accounting for approximately 55% of the country's electricity supply. This cooperation builds on existing UK-Ukraine nuclear fuel cooperation. Urenco, one-third owned by the UK government, has supplied Ukraine with...

2026-09-12

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Reportedly Lost Power 10 Times in Three Months

On September 10, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, said that Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has experienced 10 power outages over the past three months, and the power supply situation remains tense. Ulyanov stated at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting that over the past three months, multiple facilities at the nuclear power plant have been attacked, including diesel fuel storage facilities, power grid maintenance workshops, and pumping stations. He also said that relevant parties face obstacles in repairing the plant's transmission lines. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently in a cold shutdown state,...

2026-09-11

Ukraine's Energoatom purchases additional 41 VVER Spent Fuel Dry Storage Systems

Holtec Nuclear recently announced that Ukraine's national nuclear energy company Energoatom has awarded it a new contract to supply an additional 41 spent fuel safe transport and storage systems for VVER reactors at Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and South Ukraine nuclear power plants. The contract was signed on August 26, 2026. Energoatom's acting CEO Pavlo Kovtonyuk signed the contract in Kyiv, while Holtec Nuclear's CEO and Board Chairman Kris Singh signed in Camden, New Jersey, USA...

2026-09-09

Russia Says IAEA to Rotate Inspectors at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in About a Week

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, said on September 7 that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is about to undergo a new round of personnel rotation. Likhachev stated that the 35th group of IAEA inspectors is expected to arrive at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in about a week. He noted that, as with previous rotation arrangements, the operation will be conducted within the territory of the Russian Federation to ensure safety. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities by installed capacity. The IAEA maintains a continuous on-site presence at the plant and conducts relevant nuclear safety and security observation activities through regular rotation of inspectors.

2026-09-08

Ukrainian Nuclear Energy Association and Energoatom Trade Union Expand Nuclear Energy Cooperation

On September 2, the Ukrainian Nuclear Energy Association (UkrYat) and the Primary Trade Union Organization of NNEGC Energoatom (PPO NNEGC Energoatom) signed an interaction and cooperation agreement, under which the parties will expand cooperation in nuclear industry development, employee rights protection, personnel training, and scientific and technological capacity building. The agreement was signed by Volodymyr Kholosha, President of the Ukrainian Nuclear Energy Association, and Serhiy Snitkov, Chairman of the Primary Trade Union Organization of NNEGC Energoatom. Under the agreement, the parties will jointly promote the development of Ukraine's nuclear industry, safeguard the labor rights and socio-economic interests of industry professionals...

2026-09-07

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Initiates Repair of External Power Transmission Lines

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant announced on September 5 that it has initiated repair and restoration work on its external power supply lines to ensure their normal operation. The plant stated that the repair and restoration efforts have commenced and are expected to be completed smoothly, with the Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission line anticipated to resume operation as soon as possible. Currently, plant staff are monitoring all safety parameters around the clock. The plant stated that the situation on site is under control. ...

2026-09-07

Ukraine's Energoatom Supervisory Board Visits Rivne Nuclear Power Plant

From August 25 to 28, the Supervisory Board of Ukraine's National Nuclear Energy Generating Company (Energoatom) conducted a four-day working visit in Ukraine and inspected the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant. During the visit, the Supervisory Board held meetings with Ukrainian government officials, parliament members, G7 ambassadors, and relevant stakeholders, focusing on the follow-up implementation of corporate governance reforms. The Energoatom Supervisory Board commended the company's preparations for winter operations. Supervisory Board Chair Luminita Vercell stated that Energoatom holds significant strategic importance both now and in the future. She noted that the company has developed a comprehensive winter response plan, with some planned outage maintenance work already completed; upon completion of relevant repairs, the company will be ready for autumn-winter operations. Energoatom has also procured critical spare parts and organized additional emergency preparedness training for its employees.

2026-09-02

Ukraine Advances Modernization of Odesa Radioactive Waste Management System

The State Agency of Ukraine for Exclusion Zone Management (SAUEZM) recently organized a working meeting in Odesa to discuss the modernization of the radioactive waste management system and the implementation progress of related international technical assistance projects. The meeting was held at the Odesa Interregional Branch of the Ukrainian state-owned specialized enterprise "Association Radon," chaired by Oleksiy Budyk, Deputy Head of SAUEZM, with participation from the Joint Support Office (JSO), NT-Engineering LLC, and management and experts of Association Radon. The meeting covered two international technical assistance projects...

2026-08-31

Ukraine's Nurecab Nuclear Capacity Building Project Completes First Implementation Cycle

On August 20, 2026, the final seminar of the international project Nurecab (Nuclear Capacity Building in Ukraine through European Cooperation) was held in Kyiv. The project is funded by the European Union through the Euratom Research and Training Programme and is incorporated into the Horizon Europe framework. The seminar was held in a hybrid format, with a total of 76 experts, researchers, educators, and representatives of national institutions participating, of whom 26 attended in person in Kyiv and 50 joined via video link. The meeting showcased the project's implementation results and facilitated discussions on nuclear energy education in Ukraine, the development of nuclear science, and...

2026-08-27

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Loses External Power for Six Days

On August 25 local time, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) stated that it had lost external power since August 20 and had been relying on backup diesel generators to meet on-site electricity demand for six consecutive days. The plant's existing fuel reserves can still ensure operation, but difficulties in fuel resupply have not yet significantly eased. Yevgeniya Yashina, head of communications at ZNPP, stated that plant staff are monitoring nuclear safety parameters and the operation of backup diesel generator units around the clock. She noted that fuel transportation still faces difficulties due to shelling on roads leading to the plant; to improve the efficiency of existing reserve utilization, the plant has optimized the operation of diesel generators...

2026-08-26

Ukrainian Foreign Minister and IAEA Director General Discuss Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Safety in Phone Call

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on August 22 that he had a phone call with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, during which the two sides focused on the current nuclear safety situation in Ukraine, particularly the safety status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Sybiha stated that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently under Russian control, and the related military presence remains a major source of nuclear safety risk. The two sides exchanged views on issues related to the plant and emphasized the need for close coordination based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and international law. Sybiha also noted that he values Grossi's personal engagement in relevant matters, as well as...

2026-08-24

Six nuclear power units in operation in Ukraine, three under planned maintenance

Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal stated on August 21 during the government question time at the Verkhovna Rada that Ukraine's power system is currently operating stably, with no planned power cuts implemented for the time being. However, he also pointed out that the future power supply situation will still depend on the intensity of attacks on energy facilities and the progress of repairs. Shmyhal noted that Ukraine's current available power supply capacity is approximately 15 GW, including combined heat and power units and imported electricity. Among this, nuclear power contributes over 40%, thermal power accounts for about 25%, and hydropower about 15%. Of the 9 nuclear power units under Ukrainian control, 6 are currently generating electricity, and 3 are under planned...

2026-08-23

Repeated Power Outages at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Raise Concerns over Equipment Aging and Safety Risks

August 13 news, the issue of repeated interruptions to the external power supply at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continues to draw attention. Relevant data shows that since February 2022, the plant has experienced 26 power outages, 14 of which occurred in the first 8 months of 2026. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Once the external power supply is interrupted, the plant must switch to backup power to maintain the operation of essential safety systems. Frequent switching of power supply modes not only increases operational pressure but also poses additional risks to nuclear safety and radiation safety. Relevant parties have stated that signs of equipment aging at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are intensifying, with the condition of diesel generator sets being particularly concerning. The backup diesel generator sets are generally...

2026-08-15

Energoatom and the E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Sign Scientific and Technical Cooperation Agreement

On August 13, Pavlo Kovtoniuk, head of Ukraine's national nuclear energy company Energoatom, and Ihor Kryvtsun, director of the E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, signed a scientific and technical cooperation agreement. Under the agreement, the two parties will integrate scientific research and engineering technical resources to provide technical support for the safe operation of nuclear power units and other nuclear energy facilities, and will cooperate in areas such as extending the service life of reactor installations and the feasibility study and implementation of new nuclear power unit projects...

2026-08-15

Energoatom and IAEA Strengthen Cooperation on Nuclear Power Emergency Preparedness

Acting CEO of Energoatom, Pavlo Kovtoniuk, recently held a working meeting with representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) coordination and technical team at the company's subsidiary, the Emergency Technical Center. During the meeting, Kovtoniuk briefed the IAEA representatives on the operational status of Energoatom under the current circumstances and the main challenges facing Ukraine's nuclear power operator. He stated that the safe operation of nuclear power plants and emergency response preparedness remain among the company's top priorities, and enhancing the capabilities of the Emergency Technical Center is a key component of these efforts. Uk...

2026-08-13

Ukraine and IAEA to Strengthen Nuclear Safety Coordination

Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi held an online meeting, focusing on further strengthening nuclear and radiation safety cooperation amid the war. Ukraine hopes to achieve independent assessments of risks and operational status of critical energy infrastructure and develop more protective measures through closer international coordination. The talks come against the backdrop of sustained security pressures on Ukraine's energy facilities. The Ukrainian side emphasized that a stably operating power system is not only vital to public electricity supply but also directly affects the safety assurance of nuclear power plants and related facilities. The IAEA has previously conducted expert work at multiple energy facilities in Ukraine...

2026-08-12

Europe's High Temperatures and Droughts Impact Nuclear Power Operations, Ukrainian Expert Says Climate Adaptation Tied to Energy Independence

Recent prolonged high temperatures, droughts, and falling river levels across Europe have put pressure on the operation of some nuclear power plants that rely on river water for cooling. Nuclear facilities in France, Hungary, Romania, and Slovenia have successively experienced power reductions or shutdowns, forcing some countries to ease supply pressure through electricity imports and adjusted consumption arrangements. Katie Huff, a professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stated that the impact of climate change on nuclear power operations is mainly reflected in two aspects: first, droughts lower river levels, making it difficult for plants to obtain sufficient cooling water; second, when air and water temperatures are high, nuclear plants face stricter restrictions on discharging warm water into rivers to avoid further affecting the aquatic environment.

2026-08-11

Romania purchases nuclear electricity from Ukraine via Moldova to fill gap left by Cernavoda Unit 1 outage

Romanian state-owned nuclear power company Nuclearelectrica announced on August 3 that it purchased electricity from Ukraine, using Moldova's state-owned power supplier Energocom as an intermediary. Although the specific transaction amount is confidential, the price will be determined at market rates. This purchase is intended to compensate for the power gap caused by the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, thereby mitigating the impact on Romania's energy market. According to the statement, the purchase price will reference official prices on regional spot exchanges, particularly during peak demand hours from 7 PM to 10 PM. Given the widespread heatwave and tight electricity demand currently affecting Romania and Europe, the market...

2026-08-04

IAEA Inspects Ukrainian Energy Company Substations

On August 3, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed its latest inspection of key substations belonging to a Ukrainian energy company. The inspection aimed to assess energy infrastructure, particularly critical facilities affecting the safe operation of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. The Ukrainian side granted the IAEA delegation access to critical high-voltage substation systems for comprehensive monitoring. This comprehensive monitoring of substations was made possible by the expansion of the IAEA's mandate in September 2024. Under the new mandate, international inspectors can monitor not only the safety status of nuclear power plants but also the critical transmission system facilities that ensure their stable operation. Notably...