In the presence of Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ukraine Bridget A. Brink, CEO of JSC NNEGC “Energoatom” Petro Kotin and CEO and President of Westinghouse Electric Company Patrick Fragman, the first cube of concrete of the Unit 5 of the Khmelnytsky NPP was laid (concreting of the drainage channel to ensure the stability of the dam as well as the construction of the infrastructure of power units).

Unit 5 at the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant will be the first power unit in Ukraine built using American AP1000 technology.

 "A special feature of the American AP 1000 technology is the ability to balance the units. Today, the enemy is attacking and destroying the balancing capacities of the Ukrainian energy sector, so the construction of units with the ability to maneuver is very important for us. This is our response to the terrorists; they will never deprive us of electricity, and new technologies will enable us to withstand. This is a major geopolitical project of common interest for Ukraine and the United States. The technologies that we will build and develop together will push russians out of the European nuclear energy market," the Minister German Galushchenko said. 

The head of the Ministry of Energy reminded that in cooperation with Ukrainian specialists, Westinghouse produced a new type of nuclear fuel in record time, which destroyed the russian monopoly in the market. 

"This was the first step. Now we are taking the second one to push the russians out of the markets through cooperation in the construction of a new type of reactor for Europe - AP 1000. This is the beginning of our great path to new victories," the Minister said. 

US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink noted that against the background of constant shelling of critical infrastructure, Ukraine needs more power facilities, and the main focus is on nuclear power industry, as it generates more than 50% of electricity in the country.

“This is a particularly acute problem against the background of the illegal seizure of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by invaders, and that is why Ukraine now needs additional power units. I welcome the efforts and desire of the Government of Ukraine and the Ministry of Energy, Energoatom in the direction of the development of nuclear power industry. These units at the Khmelnytsky NPP will be the first of nine using AP1000 technology, which are planned to be built in Ukraine together with Westinghouse,” Bridget  Brink said.

The head of Energoatom Petro Kotin, noted the epochal significance of that event for the development of national nuclear power industry and the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. He also thanked the American side for the high trust in Energoatom and fruitful cooperation in recent years.

“The Westinghouse company is our reliable strategic partner: both in the development and loading of alternative fuel into the VVER reactors, and in the creation of a fuel production line in Ukraine, in the construction of new power units using Westinghouse AP1000 technology. During the war, we have not stop, but on the contrary deepened and accelerated our cooperation.

I am very grateful to Madam Ambassador for supporting our strategic cooperation with the Westinghouse company, as well as mentioning the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP in her speech. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe was, is, and will be our pride, and I am sure that it will be returned under the control of Ukraine. At the same time, thanks to the construction of the Khmelnytsky NPP Units 5 and 6, after the commissioning of two new Units 3 and 4 here at the Khmelnytsky NPP, the power of this plant will exceed the capacity of the ZNPP, and right here, on this site, there will be the largest nuclear power plant in Europe,” Peter Kotin stressed. 

Patrick Fragman, CEO and President of Westinghouse Electric Company, spoke about the advantages of AP1000 reactors and noted that the company had already launched six such units, capable of successfully operating for 60 to 100 years, in the world.

“With this event, we are opening a new stage, a new milestone in the cooperation between Westinghouse and Energoatom. The two twin units that were recently commissioned in Georgia, the US state, are identical to the power units that will be built here, at the Khmelnytsky NPP. Having built them, Ukraine will get energy that is clean, affordable and with the use of economically feasible technologies. This project will also create many jobs during construction, operation, repairs and maintenance.

There is another side of the coin – national security depends on energy security. Currently, all Ukrainian power units have gotten rid of dependence on the russian federation and can operate on American fuel,” Patrick Fragman emphasized. 

Ukraine seeks to develop its energy potential with the help of nuclear power industry, and the participation of distinguished guests in the ceremony of laying the first cube of concrete for the construction of new reactors proves that the United States of America supports us in this intention. Energoatom's strategic partner Westinghouse is ready to continue to support in the development of the energy sector, which is especially relevant during the russian aggression against Ukraine.