Power unit of Ukraine's Khmelnitsky NPP disconnected from grid - Energoatom

MOSCOW. March 14 (Interfax) - Power Unit No. 2 of Ukraine's Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been disconnected from the grid to identify and fix malfunctions at the facility's turbine unit, Ukrainian media outlets said, citing information circulated by Energoatom on social media on Thursday morning.

A fluctuation in the parameters of the axial shift of the rotor of the turbine unit's high-pressure cylinder with an upward tendency was observed at 5:48 p.m. on March 13, after which, "amid the surplus on the electricity market, it was decided to turn off the turbine unit to clarify and eliminate the cause of the malfunction," Energoatom said.

According to the company, seven NPP units, all at their nominal capacity, are currently in operation. The total capacity of the country's NPPs is 5,900 MW.

The shutdown of one of the Khmelnitsky NPP's units due to technical reasons on Wednesday will not cause any power shortages, Ukrainian media said, citing the Energy Ministry.

"Backup thermal power plants and hydropower plants are being used to cover the needs of household consumers and industry. Power cut schedules have not been introduced," the ministry said on social said.

Electricity imports have increased 30.6% to 4,066 MWh, while electricity exports have dropped 4% to 5,837 MWh today, it said. 

As reported, Energoatom launched a maintenance campaign on March 8, 2024, shutting down one NPP unit for repairs. Prior to that, it operated all available nine NPP units.