A new solar power plant was launched at the Chornobyl NPP

A new 2 MW solar power plant has been put into operation at the Chornobyl NPP. It will power the station's critical infrastructure and reduce its dependence on external electricity supply.

This was reported by the First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

Electricity from the new SPP will be used, in particular, to power the New Safe Confinement, radioactive waste management facilities, and spent nuclear fuel storage facilities.

According to Shmyhal, own generation increases the resilience of the Chornobyl NPP and is one of the elements of ensuring nuclear and radiation safety.

The station will produce over 2 million kWh per year

The new SPP is expected to produce more than 2 million kWh of electricity annually. This is about 5% of the annual consumption of the Chornobyl NPP industrial site.

According to the Ministry of Energy's estimate, thanks to own generation, the station will be able to save about $365 thousand per year. These funds are planned to be directed to the modernization and renewal of critical equipment necessary for the safe decommissioning of the Chornobyl NPP.

The total project budget exceeded $825 thousand. It was implemented with the support of UNDP and the governments of Lithuania and Japan.

Lithuania provided 7,296 solar panels and 17 grid inverters for the project. UNDP, with financial support from Japan, provided additional equipment, installation, and commissioning of the power plant.

UNDP noted that this is currently the organization's largest solar generation project in Ukraine.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the total installed capacity of solar power plants in Ukraine already amounts to 7.6 GW.

Based on materials from: Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine