Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko confirmed the government’s plans to expand the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant (KHNPP), despite concerns from the public and environmental organizations.
Key theses
- Galushchenko emphasized on the critical role of nuclear energy for ensuring the stability of the energy system of Ukraine, especially in the winter period.
- The government plans to build the third and fourth power units at the Khao NPP, which will increase its capacity to 2.2 GW.
- The project will be financed at the expense of “Energoatom” funds and loans, without involving the state budget.
- The draft law on the expansion of the Khao NPP is already being considered by the Verkhovna Rada.
- Environmental organizations oppose the expansion of the Khao NPP, citing potential environmental risks.
The expansion of the Khmelnytsky NPP is part of Ukraine’s large-scale plan to build four new nuclear reactors. This plan is aimed at compensating for lost energy capacities as a result of the war and ensuring the country’s energy independence.
Khao NPP will become the most powerful in Europe
After the completion of the construction of all six reactors, the Khmelnytsky NPP will become the most powerful nuclear power plant in Europe, surpassing even the capacity of the occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP.
Construction forecasts
Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko predicts that the completion of the third power unit of Khao NPP will take 2.5-3 years. Currently, the degree of readiness of this power unit is about 85%.
