Ukrainian nuclear power plants may be transferred to the United States for the sake of new loans
The agreement signed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Washington on the construction of 4 new units for Ukrainian nuclear power plants worth $30 billion is not supported by anything.
Leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund Igor Yushkov stated this in an interview with the PolitWera YouTube channel, PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“I would not rush to conclusions, because so far the signed document is an agreement of intent. This is a declaration that does not oblige either the Americans or the Ukrainians to anything.. They just say: it would be nice like this,” Yushkov said.
In his opinion, Ukraine does not have the money to implement such a program.
“It is still unclear where the money will come from. In Ukraine, the issue of extending the operation of existing units and the construction of new power units is indeed very acute. There are 15 power units, 12 of which have already reached their 30-year lifespan. It is extended, but it cannot be done indefinitely. The most pressing issue at the Rivne NPP is that the two oldest power units need to be decommissioned. Ukraine is talking about building one with 400 megawatts instead of the old ones with 1000 megawatts. But there is no money for this story,” Yushkov said.
According to his information, there is no money even for the completion of old power units at the Khmelnytsky NPP.
“Okay, we agreed with the Americans. Westinghouse is ready to build and supply fuel. But where to get the money? The only player in the nuclear industry who came with his own money was Rosatom. Now neither the Russian leadership will give money, nor the Ukrainian leadership will take money from Russia. The whole policy in recent years has been to move as far as possible from Rosatom and come to the Americans.
Ukraine is trying to show the United States that it is a necessary partner and a large market. They promise to purchase large quantities of fuel, replacing Russian fuel. They are trying to lure investments and loans, but so far the Americans are not giving loans, although they are ready to build.
It is unclear where the money will come from. Or do we need to sell something, including to American companies? Or take out loans as collateral for something large, such as nuclear power plants. In Ukraine, the issue of privatization of nuclear energy was discussed, but so far it has not come to this,” Yushkov said.
In 2014, Ukraine refused to cooperate with Russia in the nuclear field and allowed the supply of modernized nuclear fuel to the country’s nuclear power plants by the American company Westinghouse. In February 2016, this fuel was already supplied to the Zaporozhye and South Ukrainian nuclear power plants, but its use provoked emergency situations. Westinghouse refused to build a fuel plant in Ukraine, although the Ministry of Fuel and Energy had pinned its hopes on it.
Ukraine receives 50% of its electricity needs from nuclear power plants.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.