Energoatom and Hyundai E&C have just signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC). The MoC signed by the Ukranian and South Korean companies covers collaboration on the design, construction and commissioning of new nuclear units in Ukraine.
     The MoC was signed by Energoatom’s Petro Kotin and Korean Hyundai Engineering and Construction Executive Vice President and Operations Director Choi Young in the presence of Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko and South Korea’s Ambassador to Ukraine Kim Hyun-Tae.
     Halushchenko said the MoC was important in terms of the plans for new Westinghouse AP1000 units at the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant. He continued, “It is important that, together with the Korean side, we sign this memorandum during the war and, without waiting for its end, move forward. I am confident that together we will build an energy industry in Ukraine that will meet the best global standards.”
     Hyun-Tae said the MoC would “contribute to the development of Ukrainian-Korean cooperation in the nuclear industry, in particular, the exchange of experience in the field of nuclear technologies”.

     Kotin said, “South Korea has developed nuclear energy and expertise in the nuclear industry. Energoatom and Ukraine as a whole are interested in the development of our cooperation with the Hyundai company, which is one of the world leaders in this market.”
The MoC expands on a letter of intent that was signed by the two companies in November 2023. In May 2022 Westinghouse and Hyundai E&C signed a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly participate in global AP1000 plant opportunities. Last month a ceremony was held to mark the start of the project to construct what will become unit 5 at Khmelnitsky NPP.
     Ukraine has fifteen nuclear units which could generate about half of its electricity. These units including the six at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which has been under Russian military control since early March 2022. Ukraine’s plan to expand nuclear power include proposals for nine new AP1000 reactors across the country.
     Khmelnitsky’s first reactor was connected to the grid in 1987. However, work on three other reactors was halted in 1990, at a time when unit 3 was seventy five percent complete. Work on the second reactor was restarted and it was eventually connected to the grid in 2004. A project to complete units 3 and 4 is currently under way. Last month, the Ukrainian Cabinet brought forward a draft law on their construction/completion. Halushchenko said earlier this year that unit 3 could be put into operation in as little as two and a half years.
     Two of the new AP1000s are due to become the fifth and six units at Khmelnitsky. This will bring the plant’s total capacity beyond that of the six-unit Zaporizhzhia plant which has been under Russian military control since early March 2022. During their talks, Energoatom and Hyundai E&C considered all these projects. They also discussed agreements with Holtec International on the construction of factories for the production of equipment for small modular reactors (SMR) and containers for used nuclear fuel.

Ambient office = 129 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 110 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 112 nanosieverts per hour

Carrot from Central Market = 138 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 63 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 52 nanosieverts per hour

     Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and AtkinsRéalis have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to investigate opportunities to collaborate on the production of heavy water for use in new Candu reactors in Canada.
      Heavy water is a form of water in which the normal hydrogen is replaced by a heavier isotope of hydrogen called deuterium. It is used as both the moderator and as the reactor coolant in pressurized heavy water reactors, such as Candus. It has not been produced in Canada for more than 25 years.
     The MoU brings together AtkinsRéalis’ nuclear and industrial capabilities in Canada as the licensee of Candu technology, with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), owner of Candu intellectual property and other heavy water production technologies, and the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) who is a world leader in the industry with extensive experience in heavy water technologies.
     The objective of the MoU is to examine options and chose cost efficient, environmentally responsible, and viable heavy water production technologies, which could include the creation of industrial scale heavy water production facilities to support the deployment of a new fleet of Candu reactors.
     Ian Edwards is the AtkinsRéalis President and CEO. He said that “This collaboration among important stakeholders in the Canadian nuclear sector sets the stage for Canada to lead the global heavy water market, solidifying its role as a key player in the energy transition. With Candu reactors operating across four continents, a global nuclear new build market with expected demand in excess of 1000 new reactors, a strong Candu reactor refurbishment market, and the introduction of the new Candu Monark 1000 MW reactor in addition to the existing Enhanced Candu 6, this memorandum of understanding could not have come at a better time.”
     Fred Dermarkar is the AECL President and CEO. He added that “I am pleased that AECL, CNL and AtkinsRéalis are collaborating and working together to advance heavy water production for Candu reactor technology. Candu technology is uniquely positioned to contribute to important national objectives such as decarbonization, energy security, economic growth and maintaining Canada’s Tier-1 nuclear nation status.”
     Jack Craig is the CNL President and CEO. He said, “The deployment of large-scale nuclear power in Canada is an enormous undertaking, and will require extensive alignment and coordination between organizations, industries, public officials and regulators from across the country. Heavy water is one key piece of the larger puzzle, and CNL is working hard to play a leadership role in this process, ensuring that the broader industry is working towards a shared vision, and that the necessary inventory and production capabilities are in place to supply these reactors.”
     The Bruce Heavy Water Plant, which operated from 1973 until 1998, was built by AECL. It was located within the boundaries of the Bruce nuclear power plant, but was owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation. The plant was constructed to supply the heavy water needed for Canada’s nuclear power program. Candus are very efficient in their use of heavy water, which is recycled. This means that the Bruce Heavy Water Plant’s output was no longer needed after sufficient stockpiles were produced. Decommissioning of the Bruce Heavy Water Plant’s began in 2004, with demolition work completed in 2006.

Ambient office = 133 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 122 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 120 nanosieverts per hour

Blueberry from Central Market = 110 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 81 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 67 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient office = 133 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 82 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 79 nanosieverts per hour

Avocado from Central Market = 126 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 67 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 52 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient office = 92 nanosieverts per hour

Ambient outside = 133 nanosieverts per hour

Soil exposed to rain water = 126 nanosieverts per hour

Acorn squash from Central Market = 93 nanosieverts per hour

Tap water = 58 nanosieverts per hour

Filter water = 45 nanosieverts per hour

Dover Sole from Central = 114 nanosieverts per hour