French experts to inspect Ukrainian NPPs starting in 2022

Published Oct. 21, 2019. Updated Oct. 21 at 9:58 pm

Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) score poorly on security and are failing to meet some important International Atomic Energy Agency safety requirements. At the Khmelnytsky NPP, the planned addition of two extra reactors (supplied by a controversial, Kremlin-linked company) will go ahead, despite the strong concerns of experts.

Photo by UNIAN

Peer reviews of Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPP) will be conducted by the Paris-based World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) rather than by Russian inspectors starting in 2022, Energoatom said in a press release.

The company signed a memorandum of cooperation with WANO in London on Oct. 20.

This took place at Energoatom’s initiative.

The company said that peer reviews are WANO’s main form of activity and are aimed at increasing safety at the world’s nuclear power plants. They are always initiated by the host country. Confidential reports describing the strengths and weaknesses of the plants’ operation and containing recommendations are drawn up and delivered only to the plants and their operators.