Recently, in relation to the planned consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the draft Law of Ukraine “On location, design and construction of power units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant” No. 11146, a lot of false information, aimed at forming a false opinion regarding the impracticality of developing nuclear industry in our country, appeared in the Ukrainian information space.
Therefore, I inform you about the real situation in this area.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of nuclear sector for the economy and security of Ukraine. Over a period of our country's independence, nuclear power industry was steadily generating 45 to 55% of all electricity consumption.
Today, this is the only base generation that works successfully and supplies electricity, first of all, to household consumers. In particular, about 80% of the electricity consumed by the population is produced by Energoatom.
At present (after the Zaporizhzhia NPP was captured by the enemy, when 6 of 15 power units of the NPPs or 45% of the nuclear generation were lost, and the thermal generation was destroyed), the capacity of three domestic nuclear plants is not enough to fully supply the population and the economy with electricity.
Although the electricity generation at nuclear power plants is considered one of the most difficult methods of electricity production, at the same time, this process is the most technologically advanced and the most intelligent compared to other methods of electricity production. This is related to the use of complex technological processes, a high level of safety control, as well as the need for a deep understanding of nuclear physics and thermodynamics.
At NPPs, nuclear reactors are used to split uranium atoms, and that leads to a chain reaction. This reaction releases a significant amount of heat, which is then converted into electrical energy. The process includes chain reaction control using control rods, as well as the rotation of turbines connected to generators. All these aspects require a high level of engineering skill and precision in the equipment operation to ensure safety and efficiency.
The development of nuclear power industry in Ukraine through the completion of power units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytsky NPP and the construction of other new power units and small modular reactors has many advantages. Here are some of them.
1. The best energy efficiency. Nuclear fuel has a high calorific value, which makes nuclear energy the most efficient and cheapest form of electricity production.
2. Stability of supply. Nuclear power plants operate around the clock, providing a reliable and stable source of energy.
3. Long-term resources. Uranium and other nuclear materials have the potential to provide long-term energy.
4. Absence of emissions of carbon dioxide and other substances polluting the environment.
5. Great economic advantages.
The cost of electricity production at domestic NPPs is several times lower than the cost of its production by solar, wind, thermal and gas power plants (1.7 hrn. – at NPPs versus 4.5-8 hrn. – at other generation plants).
At the Khmelnytsky NPP, the availability of power unit 3 is 75%, the availability of power unit 4 is 25%. Therefore, they can be completed within three and five years, respectively.
There is an agreement with Bulgaria on the delivery of nuclear reactor equipment for these power units in the shortest possible time at more than acceptable prices.
We have an agreement with the American company Westinghouse on their assistance and participation in this project.
Any participation of the representatives of the aggressor country for the completion of the construction of mentioned power units is not foreseen and is not required at all. We have the required specialists in VVER technology who will be able to perform all the activities without any exception (preparation, design, construction, installation, commissioning, control, licensing, etc.). I would like to remind you that all 15 nuclear reactors operating in Ukraine are VVER-type.
The completion of power units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytsky NPP means about 3,000 new jobs in nuclear sector and related industries, the development of nuclear engineering and science, and the stimulation of economic growth and post-war reconstruction of our country.
6. The IAEA’s assistance. The International Atomic Energy Agency provides support for the completion and construction of new power units in Ukraine, which indicates compliance with international safety and environmental standards.
7. Ukraine's active participation in global processes of nuclear sector development. Today, 61 nuclear power units are under construction in the world. Another 90 are at the planning stage; more than 300 are in the process of discussion. Over the last 5 years, uranium prices have increased by 233%. All these aspects demonstrate the scale and speed of the next development of nuclear energy. Ukraine should be at the forefront of this process.
By implementing projects for the construction of new nuclear facilities, Energoatom will become a hub of nuclear technologies with the most modern nuclear engineering, scientific and technological support of the world's nuclear power industry.
This list of indisputable advantages can be continued. Nevertheless, in my opinion, everything is obvious here: the development of nuclear sector in Ukraine, completion and construction of new power units is not just important, but vital for our country for the future. The refusal of this would be a crime against the people of Ukraine and future generations.
The adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the legislation on the construction of new power units, in particular the draft law “On location, design and construction of power units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant” No. 11146 will open the way to a bright future for the domestic nuclear power industry, which will ensure the accelerated development and energy independence of our country.
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