Ukraine Considers Chernobyl Exclusion Zone for Small Modular Reactor Project

The region surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is currently under evaluation as a potential site for the installation of small modular reactors (SMRs) in Ukraine. This plan forms part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to expand its nuclear energy capabilities amid ongoing conflicts with Russia.

Officials from the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, alongside representatives from Energoatom—Ukraine’s key nuclear energy enterprise—and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP), convened last month to inspect various locations within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. According to a CNPP report, the site visits were succeeded by a technical assessment discussing the viability of these locations for future SMR installations.

This marks the second meeting focused on reviewing proposed sites for SMR deployment, as well as discussions surrounding land allocation issues in the area. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, infamous for the 1986 accident, is located approximately 130 kilometers north of the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and about 20 kilometers south of the Belarusian border.

In their nuclear expansion plans, Ukraine foresees the establishment of nine new Westinghouse AP1000 reactors nationwide. The country is concurrently pursuing a program for SMR development, with Energoatom having entered into an agreement with Holtec International that could result in the installation of up to 20 SMRs. Additional collaborations are also being explored with other potential SMR suppliers.

During the recent COP29 United Nations climate conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Bonnie Jenkins, the US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, along with Ukraine’s Minister of Energy, Herman Halushchenko, announced several collaborative initiatives. These include the construction of a pilot plant in Ukraine to produce clean hydrogen and ammonia using safe and secure SMR technology, a project supported by a multinational consortium comprising Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, and the United States.

Further collaboration under «Project Phoenix» aims to facilitate the conversion of Ukraine’s coal-fired power plants to SMR nuclear power stations. This project involves conducting comprehensive siting and feasibility assessments. Another key element is the roadmap development and technical assistance for modernizing and decarbonizing Ukraine’s steel industry through SMR technology, focusing on clean electricity, process heat, and hydrogen production.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has expressed its intent to support the clean steel agenda. ASME CEO Tom Costabile emphasized the role of small modular reactors as a significant component of a sustainable energy future and an economic regeneration tool for Ukraine.