The Ukrainian Parliament has approved a plan for the purchase of two nuclear reactors initially intended for the Bulgarian Belene nuclear power plant. These reactors will be installed at Ukraine’s NPP Khmelnytskyi, which has been operating at reduced capacity since the Chernobyl disaster.
The new law permits Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company, Energoatom, to acquire the Russian-made reactors from Bulgaria for use at NPP Khmelnytskyi. While the exact contract value has not been disclosed, experts estimate the deal could be worth several hundred million dollars. The Bulgarian Parliament had earlier authorized negotiations for the sale, with a minimum price set at 600 million euros.
This decision follows consultations with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi during his recent visit to Ukraine. Grossi confirmed the agency’s technical support and guidance on nuclear safety for the project. The reactors will be compatible with American-made fuel supplied by Westinghouse, enhancing Ukraine’s energy independence.
Energoatom now has official authorization to proceed with the purchase of the reactors and the construction of the long-awaited third and fourth units at NPP Khmelnytskyi.
