Westinghouse Electric Company and Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear utility of Ukraine, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work on the development and deployment of the AP300tm small modular reactor. The agreement establishes a joint working group to cooperate on areas such as contracting, licensing and the local nuclear supply chain.
Ukraine is pursuing carbon neutrality of its energy sector by 2050 and has plans to develop modern and safe nuclear power generation based on the latest advanced technologies. German Galushchenko is the Ukrainian Minister of Energy. He emphasized that the technology of small modular reactors is very promising for Ukraine. This is especially the case in terms of implementation of the national Ukrainian Energy Strategy until 2050. He added that “Ukraine has every prospect of becoming one of the leaders in clean energy and increasing nuclear generation capacity both through the construction of new large power units and deployment of small modular reactors with first units expected within the next ten years.”
Galushchenko also noted that the localization of manufacturing is one of the most important components of these agreements. Ukraine has some of the most experienced nuclear experts in the world. Manufacturing the new small modular reactors in country will add to energy independence and security.
Petro Kotin is the President of SE NNEGC “Energoatom”. He said, “Energoatom keeps working on new projects of advanced nuclear technologies, on which the energy security of Ukraine depends on in this challenging time. The company is doing its utmost to ensure that our country continues to move towards a carbon-free and clean future with nuclear energy as its integral part.” He went on to say that increasing the total capacity of nuclear power generation is vital for Ukraine as well. That is the reason why the construction of new nuclear power units has become part of the Energy Strategy of Ukraine until 2050.
Patrick Fragman is the President and CEO of Westinghouse. He said, “Westinghouse is pleased to support the Ukrainian people and Energoatom with clean, reliable and secure energy. From nuclear fuel to plant services to electricity generation, Westinghouse is honored to be a trusted partner for Ukraine today and for decades to come. The AP300 SMR is the only SMR being developed which fully leverages the design, licensing pedigree, supply chain and exceptional record of the AP1000© design already in operation in five plants around the world, and another seven units at different stages of construction and commission.”
Last May, Westinghouse launched the AP300 small modular reactor, a three hundred megawatt single-loop pressurized water reactor that is the only small modular reactor based on the design of currently operating full-sized nuclear power reactors, the proven and licensed AP1000 technology. Westinghouse is confident that design certification for the AP300 small modular reactor will be received by 2027. Construction of the first AP300 will begin by 2030. The first operating unit is planned to be available in the early 2030s. Energoatom and Westinghouse have already agreed to deploy nine Westinghouse AP1000 units in Ukraine.