Energoatom begins preparations for the extension of the resource of the South Ukrainian NPP unit.

Energoatom prepares for the extension of the operation of the second unit of the South Ukrainian NPP

The company 'Energoatom' is preparing to submit an application for the extension of the operation of the second power unit of the South Ukrainian NPP.

According to Petro Kotin, head of NAEC, in November 2023, the operating period of the first power unit of the South Ukrainian NPP was extended by 10 years without stopping the reactor.

For the first time in Ukraine's history, we have implemented international practice for safety analysis and extending operational periods, where all preparatory work is done before the operational period of the power unit expires. By this time, safety indicators have been justified, and a complete set of necessary technical measures has been implemented. After the examination of the state of the power unit and the supporting documents, the Ukrainian regulator DIYA confirmed the safety during the extension of the operational period and issued the corresponding license - said Petro Kotin. - I would like to remind that previously, for extending operational periods, our predecessors stopped power units for up to 250 days, ignoring global practices and wasting months on pointless shutdowns of power units, which significantly reduced the overall efficiency of the Company.

Oleg Korikov, head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, noted that Ukraine uses modern practices for extending the operation of nuclear power units.

According to international standards, there is no concept of a final operational period; the reassessment of safety for extending the operation of a power unit is carried out once every ten years. We are confident that this approach is optimal, and practice shows that it is safe - said Oleg Korikov.

According to the head of 'Energoatom' and the Chairman of DIYA, a reassessment of safety is currently underway, and preparations are being made to extend the operation of the second power unit of the South Ukrainian NPP.