Hrynchuk confirms search for new suppliers beyond Bulgaria for nuclear units

Ukraine is working on options for completing units No. 3 and No. 4 of the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant (NPP) under alternative scenarios, as there is no progress in agreements with Bulgaria on the sale of VVER-1000 reactor vessels for these two units, Energy Minister Svitlana Hyrnchuk has said.

"I know that the issue of completing Khmelnytsky NPP-3,4 is a sensitive issue. There is really a high level of readiness of the main structures, except for the units, but we are currently working to implement these projects as quickly and as qualitatively as possible, and using what technology. That is, we will not talk about what this technology is right now," Hrynchuk said during a conversation with journalists as part of the presentation of the Government's Action Program in Kyiv on Monday.

Answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine about the consequences of the negotiations during URC2025 in Rome in July with the Bulgarian side, which refuses to sell Ukraine equipment for Khmelnytskyi NPP-3,4, Hrynchuk noted that there is no progress towards any result or plans for further negotiations, so alternative options for completing these units are currently being worked out.

"There is no progress. Therefore, we are also preparing, working out, and holding consultations on alternative options. But it does not matter what technology to complete, it is important to develop a new generation in general, and nuclear power in this sense is one of the highest priorities for us," she said. .

She also added that cooperation with Westinghouse continues on the construction of units No. 5 and No. 6 of the Khmelnytsky NPP using their technology.