Razumkov Centre criticises government’s intentions to build new nuclear power units
19 June 2024 16:34
EXCLUSIVE
The relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has approved the government’s draft law on the construction of two power units at Khmelnytskyi NPP. Officials are optimistic about this ambitious project.
In particular, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko said that the power units could be commissioned in 3-4 years. And Energoatom claims that construction can begin the very next day after the law comes into force, as everything is ready for this. There are even nuclear energy specialists who are not in demand now, who left ZNPP after its occupation.
However, many people doubt the officials’ words. Is it really possible to implement such a project in the current war and is it advisable to take it on now? "Komersant Ukrainian" asked Volodymyr Omelchenko, Director of Energy Programmes at the Razumkov Centre, these questions.
“In my opinion, this is a very optimistic picture, and it is unlikely that the current management of the energy sector will be in place in 4 years. This is from the same opera when Kobolev and Vitrenko announced an increase in gas production to 27 billion cubic metres in 4 years – an unrealistic picture,”
– the expert said.
In reality, he believes, the timeframe for the construction of two nuclear power units in our conditions will be twice or even three times longer.
“If we really import Russian reactors and build them on existing sites, we might be able to build something in 5-6 years. But the issue of safety arises. If we follow all safety standards and refuse from Russian technologies, it will take 8-10 years,”
– he says.
The expert also doubts that full restoration of Burshtyn and Trypillia TPPs is possible in the short term. However, if something can be repaired, it should be done immediately.
“I think some equipment can be repaired: a unit or a couple of units. If it can be done within 6-12 months, it should be done. We have no choice now, we need to restore everything possible as soon as possible. But I can’t say whether something can be done in a short time. We need calculations,”
– added Mr Omelchenko.
The expert believes that in a time of war, it is better to spend money on decentralised generation and protection of critical infrastructure than on large-scale projects that will be completed only in the 2030s.
