Energoatom expands cooperation with CNNP, NASA and IDOM Nuclear Services

Ukrainian nuclear power plant operator Energoatom has agreed to enhance its cooperation with Chinese, Argentinian and Spanish companies - respectively, China National Nuclear Power, Nucleoeléctrica Argentina SA and IDOM Nuclear Services.

Ukrainian nuclear power plant operator Energoatom has agreed to enhance its cooperation with Chinese, Argentinian and Spanish companies - respectively, China National Nuclear Power (CNNP), Nucleoeléctrica Argentina SA (NASA) and IDOM Nuclear Services.

Shavlakov and Xiu Jiang at their meeting in Kiev (Image: Energoatom)

Energoatom said today its first vice-president and technical director, Alexander Shavlakov, and CNNP first deputy director-general, Wu Xiu Jiang, had "discussed prospects for further cooperation and agreed to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in all phases of the nuclear life cycle".

During their meeting, which was held in Kiev on 28 October, Energoatom gave presentations on Ukraine's energy system, the structure of Energoatom, upgrade work at Ukrainian reactors units, the status of the Ukraine-European Union "energy bridge" project, and plans to complete units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant. Between 24 and 28 October, the Chinese delegation visited Energoatom's head office and toured the Khmelnitsky site.

Energoatom, which is also state-owned, operates four nuclear power plants - Zaporozhe, Rovno, South Ukraine and Khmelnitsky - which comprise 15 nuclear reactors, including 13 VVER-1000s and two VVER-440s with a total capacity of 13,835 MWe. In July last year, the Ukrainian government approved a pilot project, named the "energy bridge", to transfer electricity from unit 2 of the Khmelnitsky plant to the European Union.

Representatives from CNNP, which is a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation, presented its strategy to upgrade units at the Tianwan nuclear power plant. Beijing-based CNNP operates 12 nuclear power plants with an installed capacity of 9773 MWe.

Energoatom said on 3 November that its president, Yuri Nedashkovsky, and NASA president Ruben Omar Semmoloni had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 27 October during the Ukrainian company's visit to the Atucha nuclear power plant in Argentina.

The agreement provides for: scientific and technological cooperation between the two companies in the peaceful use of nuclear energy; exchange of experience in the construction and safe operation of nuclear power plants, including improving safety, the management of used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, reconstruction and modernization, extension of the operating period of nuclear power plants; and the training of operational and maintenance personnel.

The Ukrainian delegation visited unit 2 of the Atucha plant which is located in the city of Lima, Zárate, 115km from Buenos Aires. Atucha 2 - also known as the President Néstor Kirchner nuclear power plant - is a 745 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor which was connected to the grid in June 2014.

They also took part in the conference on nuclear energy, as well as in meetings of the steering group and the executive committee of the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC).

The Energoatom president also held talks with Edward McGinnis - US deputy assistant secretary for international nuclear energy policy and cooperation, and IFNEC steering group chairman - which included "prospects for the US government to support the 'energy bridge' project", the Ukrainian company said.

Energoatom also announced today that it had agreed with IDOM Nuclear Services, a Spanish engineering, architecture and consulting company, on the future signing of an MOU on cooperation. Their talks included extending the operating period of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News