I believe that currently everyone is convinced that domestic nuclear power industry is the most stable and reliable generation in the energy system of our country. Despite the capture of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by the enemy and the termination of its operation, Energoatom did not lose its position in the Ukrainian energy market, while continuing, as before the war, to stably produce more than half of the country's electricity and financially ensure a low electricity tariff for the general public.
I would call the adaptation of Energoatom to work in wartime one of the factors of our Company's successful operation. Ensuring high-level nuclear and radiation safety of nuclear facilities located on the territory controlled by Ukraine, as well as their effective operation at full power with the risks of shelling, mass attacks, and blackouts – no other country in the world with operating nuclear power plants got through this. Many of the measures we took and the decisions we made had no analogs and previous world experience. Ukrainian nuclear engineers demonstrated a high standard of professionalism.
Energoatom managed to carry out and complete the maintenance campaign before winter sets in. The Company is currently operating and will operate during the autumn-winter period with all 9 power units located on the territory controlled by Ukraine.
The maintenance campaign was carried out ahead of schedule, with high quality, without delays, errors and incidents. This was facilitated by the support of our proposals, technical measures and decisions by the Ministry of Energy and State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, as well as effective planning and oversight by the Ministry of Energy over repair schedules of the country's energy facilities.
Along with the safe operation of nuclear installations, strengthening their protection in wartime, and ensuring nuclear and radiation safety, the maintenance campaign became a priority area of Energoatom’s production activity in 2023. All necessary resources were leveraged for its implementation, namely personnel, equipment, facilities, materials, transport, and logistic support. However, the main thing is fresh nuclear fuel, which was loaded into the reactors of all 9 power units. Meanwhile, the task of transporting spent nuclear fuel for permanent long-term storage was also successfully carried out.
Repair works on each of the nine power units were completed prematurely – 66 days ahead of schedule. Due to this Energoatom:
- additionally generated about 4.9 billion kWh of electricity for UAH 19.5 billion;
- exceeded the Forecast power balance by 12.7%;
- will additionally pay about UAH 4 billion to the state budget;
- fulfills public service obligations (PSO) 100%, in other words, finances a low electricity tariff for the general public. For these purposes, since the beginning of the year, the Company has paid about UAH 116 billion to the State Enterprise "Guaranteed Buyer".
The Company's efficient operation is not only about money but also about Ukraine's energy independence and security. The additional billions of kilowatts produced by Energoatom became a major support for the domestic power system, significantly reduced or completely covered the electricity shortage in the domestic market, and allowed to avoid forced shutdowns of consumers, especially during increased consumption in the summer.
When russia's military aggression began, Energoatom completely refused to supply russian-made spare parts for nuclear reactors, by replacing them with its in-house manufacture or production in partner countries. In particular, we established the production of liners for VVER-440 reactors. Previously, they were manufactured only in russia. Now, we can offer these components to countries that seek to get rid of russian dependence in this area.
