3 Mar 2023 14:38

Ukraine plans to invite U.S. experts to advise on Energoatom corporatization

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Ukraine plans to invite specialists from the United States to advise on the corporatization of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant operator Energoatom, Ukrainian media reported with reference to the Energy Ministry's social media post.

The matter was discussed at a meeting between Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at the fourth meeting of the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy and Climate Cooperation (P-TECC) in Zagreb on March 2.

"Taking into consideration the record and prospects of cooperation with the U.S., it would be very important to make sure that the best specialists are involved in advising on the corporatization process, and Energoatom would become the most efficient and transparent company and a global leader in the nuclear power industry," the ministry said with reference to the meeting's outcomes.

Galushchenko thanked Granholm for assistance provided to Ukraine's energy sector, including a mobile gas turbine power plant recently delivered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

"The installment of such gas turbines in various parts of Ukraine would help decentralize generation and guarantee uninterrupted power supply to critical infrastructure and customers," he said.

Ukraine is expecting the U.S. to make proposals concerning the updated Ukrainian Energy Strategy designed for the period up to 2050, which prioritizes clean and safe energy based on a decentralized power supply system.

As reported, the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada in early February passed legislation on Energoatom's corporatization, under which the company is to be transformed from a state-owned enterprise into a joint stock company wholly owned by the state.

Alexei Brekht, a board member of the national power grid operator Ukrenergo and director for operations and development, has said Ukrenergo has determined the optimal locations for hooking up gas power plants to the Ukrainian grid.

In early February, USAID donated a first 28 MW General Electric gas turbine power plant to Ukraine.