The state-owned company "Energoatom" plans to allocate 366 million UAH in 2025 for the preparation of new energy blocks at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant. The funds are being collected through electricity tariffs, but interestingly, part of the amount will be used for checking already purchased equipment.

What is being purchased and at what cost? This is discussed in the investigation "OUR MONEY".

In 2023, "Energoatom" signed an agreement with the American company Westinghouse to buy an AP1000 reactor for the 5th energy block of the KhNPP for 16.42 billion UAH. The equipment itself costs $350 million, while an additional $137.5 million will cover personnel, materials, and other expenses. The reactor is expected to be delivered in 2028.

However, the inspection of this equipment will only take place in 2025 – for which 120 million UAH has been allocated. This means the contract was signed before assessing its condition and completeness.

What else will be inspected?

In July 2025, "Energoatom" will conduct a tender for 86 million UAH to inspect two Russian VVER-1000 reactors that have been stored in Bulgaria for 10 years. They were purchased for the Belene NPP, but the project was frozen.

The Ukrainian parliament has already passed a law for the purchase of these reactors, and Bulgaria has set a minimum price of $600 million. However, their value has increased to $1.1 billion during storage. The final price is still unknown.

Additionally, 107 million UAH will be allocated in February for the inspection of equipment previously purchased for the 3rd energy block of the KhNPP.

How does this affect Ukrainians?

Since June 2024, the electricity tariff for the population has risen from 2.64 UAH/kWh to 4.32 UAH/kWh.

According to estimates, "Energoatom" was supposed to collect over 30 billion UAH in just six months.

Thus, while Ukrainians are paying more for electricity, part of this money will not only go towards construction but also to inspect reactors that were purchased without prior examination.

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