Ukraine's Energoatom and U.S. Holtec to set up joint venture

MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax) - Energoatom, Ukraine's national nuclear energy generating company, and U.S. company Holtec International plan to establish a joint venture to open a manufacturing and technology center in Ukraine for localizing the production of equipment for Holtec small modular reactors (SMRs).

The new enterprise will accommodate an engineering and design center, a materials warehouse, a components production facility, and training facilities, including an SMR simulator, Ukrainian media outlets said, citing Energoatom's report on social media.

The project will help create 1,000 jobs for highly skilled Ukrainian personnel.

"Introducing advanced technologies and building modern production facilities of Holtec in Ukraine will be of great significance for the post-crisis recovery of the country's economy. Cooperation with Holtec will give Ukraine an opportunity to become a global nuclear energy leader," Energoatom CEO Pyotr Kotin said.

In November 2022, Ukraine and the United States announced a project to build SMRs in Ukraine. The parties also plan to produce clean hydrogen and clean ammonia in Ukraine, along with generating electricity at SMRs and promoting advanced electrolysis technology.

Energoatom and Holtec signed an agreement on April 21, 2023, paving the way for the construction of up to 20 SMR-160 light water reactors in Ukraine. The deadline for carrying out the first pilot project, bringing the reactor to its minimum regulated capacity and connecting it to the grid is March 2029.

Holtec also announced plans to open centers in Ukraine to train personnel, transfer required technologies and build and maintain SMRs. The Ukrenergo power grid operator, for its part, recommended 16 thermal power plants where SMRs can be installed.