A decision at odds with reality: Oleksandr Kharchenko on the authorization for equipment purchases at Khmelnytskyi NPP

The recent law passed by Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, which grants approval for the purchase of two nuclear reactor pressure vessels and accompanying equipment for tcompletion of Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (KhNPP) Units 3 and 4, is nothing more than a solely political decision, according to Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Industry Research Center.

Speaking at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine, Kharchenko remarked, “I can only comment on this decision in one way—it is a political decision that was made entirely in disregard of the objective reality, which is at odds with energy project management. It’s political. Perhaps we don’t know all the circumstances that made it so crucial, but I personally am unaware of the details that made this decision so pressing, to the point of being pushed through politically. I certainly see numerous technical, financial, and other issues regarding how preparations for this project are being handled today.”

Kharchenko continued, “It seems to me that the Verkhovna Rada made this political decision partly to align with the political will of both the president, whose intentions were made clear publicly, and the government, which actively promoted this decision.”

However, he also pointed out that the Ukrainian Parliament faces significant financial and technical concerns surrounding the project. In his view, the law did not directly approve the construction permit itself. “On the other hand, I understand that many people, including those within the Verkhovna Rada, have financial, technical, and other issues about how this project will be executed. As such, the law concerning the construction permit was not approved. Instead, the law was for the authorization to purchase the equipment. As I understand it, a technical and economic feasibility study and work plan will need to be prepared to persuade the Verkhovna Rada that this project is physically implementable. After that, a new law will be passed to either approve or reject the actual construction,” he explained.

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