A rotation of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency took place at the SUNPP. The 38th monitoring mission started on March 10. For three weeks, IAEA representatives will monitor nuclear and radiation safety at the SUNPP in the context of armed aggression by russia, conduct visual inspections of equipment and conversations with the Company personnel to identify urgent needs.

For most IAEA experts who come to the SUNPP with a monitoring mission, this is not their first acquaintance with the Company. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been organizing them at Ukrainian nuclear power plants on a permanent basis since autumn 2022 to combat nuclear terrorism under conditions of war. Traditionally, during a meeting with leading specialists of the South Ukraine NPP, the results of the work of the previous group of experts were summarized.

Head of the 37th IAEA mission, addressing his colleagues and the plant staff, expressed gratitude for their openness and professionalism: “I would like to extend appreciation to your team for hospitality, professionalism and cooperation. That was my third rotation, and I can confidently say that all 7 pillars of safety are being met without any fail. We became convinced of that during our visit. We are also glad that we can assist in the purchase of equipment for which there is a request.”

During the meeting with the IAEA experts, the Director General of the South Ukraine NPP Vyacheslav Stoyanov emphasized the importance of such international support: “We met with representatives of the agency at various sites, and each time we see the unwavering adherence of the IAEA to principles. With your assistance, we will work safely, even under the most difficult conditions.”

Head of the 38th IAEA team of experts said that for him this is the last support mission in Ukraine, and he is glad that he will spend the next three weeks at the South Ukraine NPP, where the openness of the staff and cooperation are always at the highest level. In their turn, the Company representatives expect the experts to adhere to the principles of the global nuclear community, constructive cooperation, and to report objective information to the IAEA management and the international community. This experience of staying at Ukrainian nuclear power plants, which continue to operate in wartime conditions despite all challenges, can become the basis for development of global safety measures at nuclear facilities under conditions of war. SUNPP Deputy Chief Engineer for Life Extension, Technology and Engineering Borys Mikitkov expressed his expectations for the effective work of the new mission rotation: “The 37th mission has completed its activities, and we highly appreciate its results. The work was organized according to the planned schedule and was productive. Today, the 38th rotation starts, and I hope that our interaction will be constructive as well. Every morning, we will agree on further steps, and I believe that this cooperation will be an additional contribution to strengthening the security of our country in this difficult period.”