With the support of international partners, a new 2 MW solar power plant has been put into operation at the Chernobyl NPP. It will provide power to the plant’s critical infrastructure. In particular, the New Safe Confinement, radioactive waste management facilities, and spent nuclear fuel storage facilities. This was announced by the First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
“Such own generation makes the Chernobyl NPP more stable and less dependent on external power supply and is one of the necessary conditions for nuclear and radiation safety. In general, the installed capacity of solar power plants in Ukraine is already 7.6 GW. This is an important component of our stability,” the head of the Ministry of Energy emphasized.
According to him, the total budget of the project to build a solar power plant on the territory of the Chernobyl NPP is more than $825,000. It was possible to implement it thanks to the support of the UNDP and the governments of Lithuania and Japan. In particular, Lithuania provided 7,296 solar panels and 17 grid inverters as part of humanitarian aid. UNDP, with funding from Japan, provided additional equipment, installation and launch of the station.
“The station will produce more than 2 million kWh of clean electricity annually. This is 5% of the annual consumption of the industrial site, which will save about $365 thousand per year. The saved funds will be used to modernize, replace and update critically important equipment necessary for the safe decommissioning of the Chernobyl NPP,” the Minister noted.
“Chernobyl reminds us that nuclear safety is a shared responsibility that spans countries and generations,” said Alexander de Croo, UNDP Administrator and UN Coordinator for International Cooperation for Chernobyl, during the official ceremony marking the commissioning of the solar power plant. “Across Ukraine, UNDP supports the development of renewable energy to strengthen energy sustainability and accelerate the country’s green transition. The new solar power plant – currently our largest solar generation project in Ukraine – extends this support to the Chernobyl NPP, the safe and uninterrupted operation of which is important not only for Ukraine but also far beyond its borders.”
Yo Ohsumi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, also spoke at the ceremony and emphasized continued cooperation with Ukraine.
“This solar energy project reflects the development of bilateral cooperation: from overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and sharing the experience of Fukushima to ensuring nuclear safety in wartime and investing in a more sustainable future. Let today’s achievement become a new starting point, and we will continue to work together for a safer, more sustainable and resilient energy future for Ukraine and the entire world,” said Ohsumi.
Denys Shmyhal thanked international partners for their support for Ukraine and joint work to strengthen the nuclear and energy security of Ukraine and the entire region. (Energy Ministry)