You're reading: Chernobyl reactor to be started up Dec. 2

KYIV, Nov. 28 – The Chernobyl nuclear power plant will start up its 3rd reactor on December 2, despite the fact that the permanent shutdown of the reactor is scheduled for December 15, the head of the plant’s information service Stanyslav Shekstelo said Tuesday.

According to Shekstelo, Ukraine’s energy system is currently experiencing a shortage of electricity and all possible capacities must be utilized.

“As you know yourselves, Chernobyl produces 9.93 percent of the total electricity produced by Ukraine’s nuclear plants, so we will operate it. The date is set for 6 a.m. on December 2,” he said.

At 6 a.m. on Monday, Chernobyl shut down its 3rd reactor due to a short circuit in the PL-750 Vinytsia transmission line, as reported earlier.

According to Energoatom, 9 of Ukraine’s 14 nuclear reactors are currently operating.

The 3rd and 4th reactors at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, and the 3rd reactor at the Rivne nuclear power plant are down for scheduled repairs. The 2nd reactor at the Yuzhny nuclear power plant is down due to problems.

Ukraine has promised to shutdown Chernobyl no later than December 15.