Energoatom extends EU links
Energoatom, Ukraine's nuclear power plant operator, has opened an office in Brussels in order to work closely with the European Commission and other European institutions.
At a reception held in the Belgian capital on 5 November, Energoatom president Yuri Nedashkovsky said that the opening of the office was an important step in the integration of the company's strategies with European energy policy.
The main objectives of the new office – which is to be managed by Andrii Tiurin – include the adaptation of Ukrainian regulations to European standards; closer cooperation with European institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Euratom; and expanding Energoatom's range of partners for joint projects in Ukraine and Europe.
"Our company produces almost 50% of Ukraine's domestic electricity," Nedashkovsky said. "And we face the important task of meeting the needs of households and businesses this winter to maintain stable energy supplies."
Tiurin noted that Energoatom is already a member of the World Nuclear Association, the World Association of Nuclear Operators, the International Atomic Energy Association's project on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles (Inpro) and the Ukraine Nuclear Society.
"As a good corporate citizen, Energoatom wishes to adopt the highest standards of governance in accordance with European and international norms," Tiurin said. "It will be an important objective for me to follow public policy and regulatory developments in the EU in respect of energy and climate change, and to assist Energoatom to make a constructive contribution to the European debate."
Established in 1996, state-run Energoatom operates four nuclear power plants in Ukraine with an total installed capacity of 14,160 MWe.
In October, Ukrainian Prime Minister Areseniy Yatsenyuk told Energoatom management to speed up construction of new nuclear reactors and to enlist the help of "European partners" rather than Russia. Later that month, Energoatom and Czech engineering company Škoda JS announced they had signed a memorandum of cooperation that includes cooperation in the construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants.
Researched and written
by World Nuclear News
