Ukrainian NPPs do not reduce capacity due to abnormal heat - "Energoatom"

Ukrainian nuclear power plants continue to operate without reducing the capacity of existing power units during abnormal heat. This was reported by "Energoatom".

According to Pavlo Kovtoniuk, Acting Chairman of the Board of JSC "NNEGC "Energoatom", high temperatures have already created problems for nuclear generation in some European countries, while Ukrainian stations withstand the current heat.

"The heat affects the operation of European nuclear power plants: in several countries, NPP operators had to shut down units. Our nuclear power plants withstand such heat", - stated Kovtoniuk.

Why Ukrainian NPPs do not reduce capacity

"Energoatom" explains the stable operation of power units by the characteristics of the cooling systems of Ukrainian nuclear reactors, which are designed to operate at high temperatures. This way heat has less impact on the operation of power units.

The company also previously noted that the resilience of Ukrainian NPPs to heat waves is enhanced by cooling ponds, reservoirs, and evaporative cooling towers. Such systems reduce the dependence of plant operations on water levels directly in major rivers.

The company cites stable operation of nuclear generation as one of the factors that helps Ukraine's energy system get through the period of increased summer consumption without implementing power outages.

Heat creates problems for NPPs in Europe

Amid high temperatures and drought, some nuclear power plants in Europe have faced cooling problems. In particular, due to historically low water levels in the Danube, the capacity of Hungary's Paks NPP was significantly reduced. "Energoatom" notes that stations with greater dependence on river water are more vulnerable to prolonged periods of heat and low water.

Based on materials from: JSC "NNEGC "Energoatom"