Westinghouse Electric company, the U.S. electric leader and global pioneer in nuclear energy, announced this Wednesday it has signed a historic nuclear deal with Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear utility.
The historic agreement will deliver Westinghouse AP1000 reactors to multiple sites in Ukraine. The signing of the agreement took place this Wednesday in the Department of Energy’s headquarters in Washington D.C.
According to the company’s statement, the signing was witnessed by Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky; Jennifer Granholm, the United States Secretary of Energy; and the Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko.
The agreement intends to bring top-notch nuclear technology to Ukraine in order to help the country achieve its sustainability and clean energy goals; but also, to strengthen the country’s energy sector, which has long struggled to thrive.
Particularly, Energoatom selected Westinghouse AP1000 technology for its top-notch performance and for the company’s commitment to developing new nuclear power plants in Ukraine. In addition, the agreement solidifies Westinghouse as a top global supplier.
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Westinghouse helping Ukraine strengthen its nuclear sector
The AP1000 plant is a proven Gen III+ reactor. It has fully passive safety systems, modularized standard design, high operability performance, and load-following capability. Consequently, this technology will provide Energoatom and Ukraine with procurement, construction; also, licensing, operation, maintenance, and localization benefits.
Moreover, Westinghouse AP1000 technology is the only Generation III+ reactor technology licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and in several countries in Europe and Asia. In fact, the technology is already delivering success stories in Chine, where four units are setting operational performance records; commissioning and refueling outage duration, with outstanding capacity factors.
Furthermore, two other units of the AP1000 generator are nearing completion at the Vogtle site in the U.S. About the agreement, Patrick Fragman, Westinghouse President, and Chief Executive Officer, said. “This agreement further strengthens our long-standing partnership with Energoatom. It represents a pivotal point in advancing Ukraine’s carbon-free energy future by using the world’s leading nuclear reactor to meet their long-term energy needs.”
Finally, Petro Kotin, Acting President of NNEGC Energoatom, remarked. “In the long run, application of U.S. AP1000 technology will allow Energoatom to ensure the highest level of safety, reliable nuclear generation, innovation, and care for the environment.”
