Ukraine Plans to Complete Construction of Energy Units at Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant

Ukraine is making significant strides in the completion of two energy units at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), emphasizing that nuclear generation is a crucial component of the country's new energy architecture. This announcement was made by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal via his Telegram channel.

Shmyhal highlighted that nuclear generation is capable of providing a stable load for the energy grid, making it essential for Ukraine to finalize the construction of the 3rd and 4th energy units at the Khmelnytskyi NPP. Currently, there are two options for completing the construction, and specialists are actively working to select the most optimal one.

During his visit to one of the nuclear power plants, Shmyhal held a meeting dedicated to the future of Ukrainian nuclear energy. The management of the station reported on efforts to increase the power output of the NPP, as well as measures to enhance protection and safety. The Minister emphasized that active construction of protective structures is ongoing at the site.

“Another important direction of our work is the modernization of capacities and the construction of additional backup transmission lines, which will overall strengthen our energy security. We have agreed to work in this direction,” Shmyhal stated.

The Khmelnytskyi NPP is located in western Ukraine, at the junction of three regions: Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and Ternopil. Construction of the plant began in 1981, and it currently has two reactors. The first energy unit was launched in 1987, followed by the second in 2004. Both units are equipped with VVER-1000 type reactors, with a combined capacity of 2000 MW.

According to the original project, the Khmelnytskyi NPP was intended to be a four-unit plant; however, the third and fourth units were only partially constructed. The company Energoatom intends to complete the construction of two VVER-1000 energy units and build two more powerful units based on American AP1000 technology, which could produce up to 1200 MW each. If these plans are realized, the total capacity of the Khmelnytskyi NPP will exceed 6000 MW, making it the largest in Europe.

Currently, the Khmelnytskyi NPP operates two energy units, each with a nominal capacity of 1000 MW. Construction of Unit 3 began in September 1985, and Unit 4 in June 1986. Both units are designed for a capacity of 1000 MW, utilizing the VVER-1000/V-320 reactor installation. Despite the construction readiness of Unit 3 being at 75% and Unit 4 at 28%, the project was halted in 1990 due to a moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants.

In 2023, it was revealed that Ukraine plans to purchase two nuclear reactors from Bulgaria for the Khmelnytskyi NPP. It was anticipated that the installation of these reactors would add nearly 2200 MW to Ukraine's energy system. In September 2024, Bulgaria continued negotiations to sell Russian nuclear reactors to Ukraine.

The EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Matersonova, emphasized that the European Union will not finance the completion of the energy units at the Khmelnytskyi NPP, as the relevant bill was developed without consultations with the EU. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved this controversial bill in April 2024.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated that it is possible to complete the construction of the third energy unit at the Khmelnytskyi NPP within three years, noting that the construction involves credit funds. Ukrainian MP Inna Sovsun, a member of the energy committee, expressed her opinion that the proposal to complete the energy units at the Khmelnytskyi NPP is inadequate.

Alexander Kharchenko, director of the Energy Research Center, pointed out that the funds allocated for the completion of the energy units at the Khmelnytskyi NPP could be “buried without prospects.” Mykola Shteinberg, former chief engineer of the Chernobyl NPP after the disaster and former head of the State Committee on Nuclear Safety, believes that attempts to resume construction of the energy units are mostly talk and self-promotion.

Lana Zerkal, former advisor to the Minister of Energy and extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador, characterized the idea of completing the energy units as a “fairy tale.” The bill to complete Units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytskyi NPP has been attempted to be brought to a vote several times but was subsequently removed from the agenda. In July, the anti-corruption office of the Verkhovna Rada identified corruption risks in the bill.

On February 4, 2025, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, expressed support for Ukraine's strategy to complete the nuclear units at the Khmelnytskyi NPP. On February 5, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly endorsed this controversial construction.

On March 13, 2025, President Zelensky signed bill No. 11392 regarding the acquisition of equipment necessary for the completion of the two energy units at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. On March 15, 2025, the Law of Ukraine “On the Acquisition of Equipment Necessary for the Construction of Energy Units No. 3 and No. 4 of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant” No. 4231-IX was published on the Verkhovna Rada's website.

According to this law, NAEC Energoatom is authorized to enter into a contract with the state energy company of the Republic of Bulgaria, National Electric Company EAD, for the acquisition of equipment, which includes nuclear reactor vessels, components, and other related equipment necessary for the future construction of Units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytskyi NPP.

The cost of this acquisition is not specified in the law; the document only approves the purchase of reactors, limiting the project's cost at this stage to $600 million, and the government is required to prepare a new draft law on the completion of the Khmelnytskyi NPP, which will present updated technical and economic justification and information on the sources of financing for the entire project.

According to the approved Cabinet order No. 579-r dated July 26, 2018, the technical and economic justification for the construction of Khmelnytskyi NPP Units 3 and 4 has a total estimated cost at prices as of May 5, 2017, including construction works, equipment, furniture, and inventory, as well as other expenses, amounting to 72.34 billion UAH. Additionally, the cost of the first loading of nuclear fuel is 4.47 billion UAH.

As of April 15, 2025, Bulgaria decided to increase the amount of the deal. Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov stated that Bulgaria will not sell two nuclear reactor vessels to Ukraine, which may complicate Ukraine's plans to complete the energy units.