Ukrainian nuclear sector specialists to begin studying AP1000® technology in U.S. this fall

MOSCOW. Aug 4 (Interfax) - The Energoatom national atomic energy company of Ukraine and U.S. company Westinghouse are launching an internship program for Ukrainian nuclear sector professionals in the United States, where more than 60 specialists and graduate-level students will receive training in AP1000® plant technology.

"Westinghouse Electric and NNEGC Energoatom announced today a partnership to offer immersive internships and development opportunities for 60 Ukrainian nuclear energy professionals and graduate-level students," Ukrainian media outlets quoted Energoatom as saying on social media on Wednesday.

The multi-year program will begin in the fall of 2022 at the Westinghouse global headquarters in the U.S. Following completion of the program, the newly trained AP1000® plant technical professionals will have numerous opportunities to apply their engineering, technical and technological support skills within new projects to build power generating units in Ukraine using this technology, including the newly established Westinghouse Engineering Center in Kyiv, Energoatom said.

Ukrainian specialists will be trained to provide critical support for future programs to decommission power generating units at Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs), it said.

The most talented and promising young specialists and graduate-level students of leading Ukrainian universities will be selected for this program, Energoatom Executive Director for Human resources Oleh Boyaryntsev said.

"The Westinghouse training program will provide a unique experience to Ukrainian professionals and university students for advancement within the nuclear energy industry as we begin implementing AP1000® plant projects across Ukraine," Westinghouse Energy Systems President David Durham said.

The opening of Westinghouse facilities to Ukraine's current and future nuclear professionals reinforces the strong partnership Westinghouse has with Energoatom and with Ukraine, Durham said.

As reported, in June 2022, Westinghouse and Energoatom expanded agreements on the delivery of nuclear fuel to all functioning Ukrainian NPPs and on the construction of nine AP1000® power generating units.