Ukraine Ministry of Energy and WITKOWITZ Discuss SMR Construction Opportunities

The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Czech WITKOWITZ Group discussed cooperation opportunities for the construction of small modular nuclear reactors (up to 300 MW) in Ukraine.

Deputy Minister of Energy Yuriy Boyko emphasized the challenges associated with the need for economic decarbonization: "We are on the verge of challenges related to the need for decarbonization of the economy. Green energy is actively developing. Therefore, we need to provide the system with balancing capacities."

According to the Deputy Minister, it is necessary to fully understand the economics of building such reactors before making a final decision. The place of such generation should be defined in the overall development of Ukraine's energy system and reflected in the energy strategy until 2050.

Key outcomes

• A working group will be established to further develop the issue
• Potential SMR deployment in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone territory was discussed, as provided for in the Strategy for the Development of Exclusion Zone Territories

WITKOWITZ is one of the most powerful machine-building plants in Central Europe, founded in the 19th century. The company unites 8 machine-building plants specializing in large-scale forgings, complex gearboxes, high-pressure vessels, and steel structures for hydropower, wind, and nuclear power plants.

Additionally, WITKOWITZ announced plans to invest at least €50 million in creating new production facilities at Pivdenmash (Dnipro), including railway car and locomotive repair capabilities.