Ukraine plans to revamp its energy grid with 20 new modular nuclear reactors

Energoatom, Ukraine's nuclear energy company, and the US company Holtec International have signed an agreement to build up to 20 nuclear power units with SMR-160 reactors in Ukraine.

Energoatom President Petro Kotin and Holtec International President and CEO Khris Singh reportedly signed an agreement on cooperation in the deployment of small modular reactors.

Energoatom emphasizes that the construction of small modular reactors in Ukraine will not only strengthen the country's energy security.

It will also make it possible to replace the destroyed thermal power facilities destroyed as a result of Russian aggression and achieve decarbonization goals.

According to the agreement, the connection of the first pilot project to the network should take place by March 2029, after the realization of the minimum regulated capacity of the reactor.

Holtec International is a supplier of equipment and systems for the energy industry. The company is located in the state of Florida and specializes in the development and production of parts for nuclear reactors. In particular, the company manufactures containers for storing spent nuclear fuel.

Holtec SMR-160 self-protected modular underground reactor. It is a type of small modular water-water reactor with a capacity of 160 MW.

Previously, Energoatom and the Canadian company CAMECO (which is one of the world's largest producers of natural uranium) concluded two agreements to ensure a stable supply of nuclear fuel.

The number of nuclear power units to be built in Ukraine using Westinghouse technology has been increased to nine.

As part of the "green transition," Ukraine is considering the possibility of installing 20 small modular reactors (SMRs) instead of the thermal power units of a thermal generation destroyed by Russian shelling.