Ukraine has significant expertise in researching small modular reactor technologies. This was stated by Yulia Pidkomorna, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, speaking at the Regional Eurasian Forum on Green Energy and Clean Technologies.
“Strengthening energy security is important for us, but no less important challenge is sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint in the production of electricity and heat, because Ukraine shares the goals of the European Green Deal and follows decarbonization trends. And we understand the requirements of the time for the speedy implementation of new technologies, ”noted Yulia Pidkomorna.
For the development of carbon-free generation, ensuring frequency regulation and passing daily load peaks, the use of small modular reactors can become very promising.
The Department of Energy plans to join the development of a regulatory framework that will allow work to begin in this area.
Benefits that Ukraine expects from the introduction of this technology:
- flexible electricity generation with zero pollution and very low carbon emissions; small unit capacities that can be located in areas where additional services are required on the energy market;
- significantly lower construction costs;
- preservation of jobs and highly qualified personnel in the nuclear industry;
- potential deployment of own production of small modular reactors for export of technology to other countries.
