Ukraine's Energoatom preparing to launch Unit 3 of Khmelnitsky NPP

MOSCOW. Feb 19 (Interfax) - Preparations for completing the construction of Unit 3 of the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant have been nearly finished, acting head of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant operator Energoatom Petr Kotin said.

"Our specialists are working hard at the sites of future Units 3 and 4. Most of Unit 3's facilities have been fully restored, and they are virtually ready for installing equipment. The necessary work has also been started at Unit 4," Ukrainian media quoted Kotin as saying in a statement circulated by the Energoatom press service.

Accompanied by the Khmelnitsky NPP general director and top specialists, Kotin reviewed the sites to assess progress in the work and concluded that the restoration is moving ahead according to schedule and with high quality.

At the same time, Kotin insisted on continuing to adhere to the schedule so as to complete all operations by the previously set deadlines. In particular, specialists must be ready to assemble equipment at Unit 3 during a warm season, he said.

The construction of new nuclear power units is an integral element of the Ukrainian Energy Strategy, Kotin said. Energoatom is tasked with increasing power generating capacity to 17.4 GW by 2032 and 23.7 GW by 2050.