Ukraine currently operates 15 nuclear reactors, and has formulated a strategy for doubling their current capacity, while building new uranium production facilities.

Currently Operating Nuclear Reactors

Ukraine currently operates 15 nuclear reactors at four facilities, generating 84.8 billion kWh in 2006, approximately half the nation’s electrical needs. The reactors are (with net capacity and date commercial operations commenced):

Khmelnytsky

• Khmelnytsky-1 (V-320): 950 MWe - Aug 1988
• Khmelnytsky-2 (V-320): 950 MWe - Aug 2005

Rovno

• Rovno-1 (V-213): 402 MWe - Sep 1981
• Rovno-2 (V-213): 416 MWe - Jul 1982
• Rovno-3 (V-320): 950 MWe - May 1987
• Rovno-4 (V-320): 950 MWe - late 2005?

South Ukraine

• South Ukraine-1 (V-302): 950 MWe - Oct 1983
• South Ukraine-2 (V-338): 950 MWe - Apr 1985
• South Ukraine-3 (V-320): 950 MWe - Dec 1989

Zaporozhe

• Zaporozhe-1 (V-320): 950 - Dec 1985
• Zaporozhe-2 (V-320): 950 - Feb 1986
• Zaporozhe-3 (V-320): 950 - Mar 1987
• Zaporozhe-4 (V-320): 950 - Apr 1988
• Zaporozhe-5 (V-320): 950 - Oct 1989
• Zaporozhe-6 (V-320): 950 - Sep 1996

All facilities are operated by Ukraine’s nuclear power utility, Energoatom. Each reactor is scheduled to cease operations 30 years after their start, though it is likely they will all remain operational for an additional 15 years. All units are Russian VVER pressurized water reactors. Rovno 1 and 2 are 440 MWe V-312 models and the rest are larger 1,000 MWe units.

Nuclear Facility Expansion

In 2006, the Ukrainian government approved a new nuclear power strategy to enhance the country’s energy independence. Attempting to more than double Ukraine’s nuclear capacity by 2030, the plan includes the building and construction of 13 new pressurized water (PWR) reactors and nine replacements. Of the new units, two will be located at the Khmelnytsky facility, with the remainder planned for new facilities.

Under consideration are reactors manufactured by Areva, Westinghouse, and South Korea. Final decisions regarding unit types and capacities will be made in 2008, and by 2010, the government plans to identify three or four new power station sites.

To properly handle this massive project, the Ukrainian government has created a new national nuclear industry holding company, Ukratomprom. This enterprise, consisting of six state-owned companies including Energoatom, reports to both the Ministry of Energy and the cabinet.

Fuel and Enrichment Supplies

Ukraine currently produces approximately 30% of its own uranium requirements through the Vostochny Uranium Ore Mining and Processing Enterprise (VostGOK). The mining occurs at two sites, Ingulska and Smolino, at Zholtye Vody in the Dnepropetrovsk region. Main undeveloped uranium deposits are located at Safonovskoye and Mikhailovskoye in Kirovograd region.

Ukrainian uranium concentrate and zirconium alloy are currently sent to Russia for fuel fabrication. Russia also provides other nuclear fuel cycle services such as enrichment.

Seeking more nuclear independence, Ukratomprom intended to launch several new projects in 2007 including a uranium mill at Novokonstantinov and a $1 billion NFEF enrichment plant to be completed by 2014.

Waste Management

Ukraine currently has no complete radioactive waste management strategy. The current plan is storing used fuel at various facilities for at least 50 years. Currently, used fuel is mostly stored on-site at existing nuclear plants, though a new centralized dry storage facility is under consideration, however some VVER-440 fuel is returned to Russia for reprocessing.

Regulation and Safety

Regulation is handled by the State Nuclear Regulatory Administration of Ukraine (SNRA), under the Ministry for Environment Protection & Nuclear Safety. Prior to 2000, the Ukrainian Chernobyl Affairs Ministry was responsible for licensing of nuclear waste storage facilities, but that role is now handled by the country’s Nuclear Regulatory Committee (SNRCU).

References

NNEGC Energoatom Official Website.

“Nuclear Power in Ukraine.” Uranium Information Center (UIC). October 2007.

“Nuclear Power in Ukraine.” World Nuclear Association. October 2007.