30 years after Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe, Ukraine is planning to spend an estimated $1.7 billion to bring the facilities, many of which are nearing the end of their planned life spans, up to current Western standards. The project is supported by the West, including a $600 million contribution split evenly between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Euratom.
According to the EBRD, the investment program includes 87 safety-measure upgrades. Since Ukrainian nuclear power plants produce over 50 percent of electricity, the project is vital aspect of maintaining of the country's energy independence. Enerhoatom, the state-run nuclear energy operator, runs 15 reactors at four nuclear power plants. They are all equipped with Russian-designed pressurized reactors known by their Russian abbreviation, VVER. Read more at http://www.rferl.org
According to the EBRD, the investment program includes 87 safety-measure upgrades. Since Ukrainian nuclear power plants produce over 50 percent of electricity, the project is vital aspect of maintaining of the country's energy independence. Enerhoatom, the state-run nuclear energy operator, runs 15 reactors at four nuclear power plants. They are all equipped with Russian-designed pressurized reactors known by their Russian abbreviation, VVER. Read more at http://www.rferl.org
