This file is no longer being updated. For information on
developments in the nuclear power industry, please see the
Ukraine: General Nuclear
Power Developments section.
(To see the criteria Profiles uses to select materials
for inclusion in the Power Reactors files, click
here.)
12/3/99:EXPERIMENTAL
FUEL PROGRAM REJECTED BY STATE ADMINISTRATION For more information, see the 12/3/99
entry under Fuel Cycle
Developments.
{Entered 3/29/2000 GD}
10/4/99: WESTINGHOUSE MAY SUPPLY ZAPORIZHZHYA NPP WITH FUEL
IN 2000-2001 For more information, see the 10/4/99
entry under Fuel Cycle
Developments.
{Entered 11/11/99 CC}
7/22/99: ZAPORIZHZHYA NPP TESTS COMPUTERS FOR
Y2K READINESS IAEA representatives inventoried Zaporizhzhya NPP
computer systems and identified critical networks that could be susceptible
to the Y2K problem. As of July 1999, plant specialists are developing the
means to protect their computers from the Y2K problem.
[Intelnews. 22 July 1999; in "Nuclear
Power Station Susceptible to Y2K Bug," FBIS Document FTS19990723000097.]
{Entered 11/16/99 SK}
4/29/99: MANAGERS AT ZAPORIZHZHYA
NPP ILLEGALLY TRANSFER 2.8 MILLION HRYVNYAS The Zaporizhzhya Prosecutor General's
Office initiated an investigation of the illegal transfer of 2.8 million
hryvnyas ($694,000 as of 29 April 1999) from the Zaporizhzya NPP, allegedly
carried out by A. Chuprov, head of the finance directorate of the facility
and T. Antropova, chief accountant. The investigation also involves the
illegal transfer of 1.85 million hryvnyas ($460,000 as of 29 April 1999)
by managers of the nuclear power plant to the Zevs joint stock bank.
["Budget Lost 2 Million Hryvnyas Due
to Criminal Deeds of Managers at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Station,"
Fakty
i Komentarii, 29 April 1999, p. 1; in "Corruption Charges at Ukrainian
Nuclear Power Station," FBIS Document FTS19990429002149.] {Entered 9/29/99
SK}
1/6/99: KRASNOYARSK
DECISION PROMPTS UKRAINE TO ACCELERATE PLANS FOR SPENT NuclearFuel STORAGE
FACILITY The announcement by the administration of Krasnoyarsk
Kray in Russia that it will no longer accept spent nuclear fuel for storage
has spurred Ukrainian officials to announce that Ukraine will build a domestic
nuclear fuel storage facility by the year 2000. The storage facility
will be built at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. According
to officials, both the transportation infrastructure and the necessary
storage technologies have long been in place, but insufficient funding
prevented completion of a storage facility by 1999. The cost of finishing
the facility at Zaporizhzhya is comparable to what Ukraine would have had
to pay Krasnoyarsk's Mining and Chemical Combine (GKhK) for storage and
reprocessing, approximately $91 million.[1] Russia's Minister of
Atomic Energy and the management of GKhK have argued that Ukraine's price
was more or less competitive, and that Russia would endure a major setback
in the spent nuclear fuel storage and reprocessing business if it blocked
fuel from Ukraine. Underlying this reasoning is not only the need
for revenue, but also the desire to keep Ukraine's nuclear industry dependent
on Russia.[2]
Sources: [1] ITAR-TASS, 6 January 1999; in "Ukraine
to Build Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility," FBIS-SOV-99-006. [2] "Lebed Pressures Ukraine's Nuclear
Power Industry," Jamestown Monitor, 7 January 1999. {Entered 2/17/99
CEM}
1/5/99: RUSSIAN MINISTER
OF ATOMIC ENERGY TRAVELS TO KRASNOYARSK TO INVESTIGATE SPENT NuclearFuel
DISPUTE Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov
traveled to Krasnoyarsk Kray on 5 January 1999 to urge the region's governor,
Aleksandr Lebed, to accept Ukrainian spent nuclear fuel. Adamov stressed
that in not doing so, Krasnoyarsk was endangering Russia's position in
the spent nuclear fuel storage and reprocessing market. He said that
the low price Ukraine was paying for nuclear fuel storage and reprocessing
was part of a temporary agreement and that the fee would be increased later.[1]
Ukraine currently pays less than $300 per kilogram to have its spent nuclear
fuel stored and reprocessed in Russia.[2]
Sources: [1] "Russian Nuclear Chief Argues for
Accepting Nuclear Waste" Associated Press, 5 January 1999 in Lexis-Nexis
Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com. [2] "Adamov Says Russia Should
Expand Reprocessing of Spent Nuclear Fuel, "BBC Summary of World
Broadcasts, 6 January 1999; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
{Entered 1/11/99 CEM}
12/3/99: EXPERIMENTAL FUEL
PROGRAM REJECTED BY STATE ADMINISTRATION UNIAN news agency reported on 3 December 1999 that
the Nuclear Regulatory Administration
(NRA) rejected a proposal by the state nuclear energy company Enerhoatom
to use experimental fuel at the Zaporizhzhya
NPP. The NRA cited a study by the Ministry
of Emergency Situations and Consequences of the Chernobyl Disaster
which stated that this type of fuel should not be used in nuclear reactors.
In addition, the Russian producer of this fuel stated that experimental
fuel is not used in the Russian nuclear industry. The NRA further highlighted
the fact that no legal grounds exist in Ukraine for experimental fuel use
because experimental fuel rods are not included in the list of fuel supplied
to Ukrainian NPPs. For more information, see the 10/4/99
entry, below. (Please see the Ukraine:
General Fuel Cycle Developments file for more information on fuel
fabrication and testing issues.)
[UNIAN, 3 December 1999; in "Experimental
nuclear fuel prohibited," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.]
{Entered 3/30/2000 GD}
10/4/99: NuclearFuel SUPPLY
DIVERSIFICATION: WESTINGHOUSE The US company Westinghouse won a tender to produce
nuclear fuel for Ukraine's VVER-1000 reactors. According to Zaporizhzhya
Director Danko Biley, an experimental batch may arrive at the Zaporizhzhya
plant in 2000-2001.[1] According to another source, the first six containers
of US fuel will be
tested at the South
Ukraine NPP in 2001.[2] An expert at the Ukrainian Ministry of
Energy says that producing the first experimental batch of fuel may take
until 2004. Ukraine has been attempting to lower its dependence on
the Novosibirsk Chemical
Concentrate Plant in Russia, which is still the only facility that
produces fuel for Soviet-built VVER reactors, although an effort to create
new experimental fuel rods for the reactors began at Elektrostal,
Moscow Oblast, Russia in 1990.[3] (Please see the Ukraine:
General Fuel Cycle Developments file for more information on fuel
fabrication and testing issues.)
Sources: [1] Interfax, "Ukraine Business Panorama,"
27 September-4 October 1999; in "Ukraine Business Panorama," FBIS Document
FTS19991004001661. [2] UNIAN, 29 October 1999; in "Ukraine
To Try US Pilot Fuel at Nuclear Plants in 2001," FBIS Document FTS19991029001500. [3] "Toplivo dlya ukrainskikh AES,"
Zerkalo
nedeli, No. 36, 11-17 September 1999, p. 14.{entered 10/14/99 CC}
12/17/98: NPP WORKER IMMOLATES SELF IN PROTEST
OVER NONPAYMENT OF WAGES On 17 December 1998 Boris Tretyakov, a Zaporizhzhya
NPP worker, immolated himself after being told he would not receive 3,550
hyrvnyas (about $900 US dollars as of December 1998) in back wages.
Tretyakov went to the home of city council deputy Yuriy Kazarkin and demanded
his wages, but when Tretyakov was told this was impossible, he poured gasoline
over his body and lit himself on fire. Segodyna reported that
Tretyakov was taken to the burn unit of a local clinic and as of 19 December
1998 remained in serious condition.
[Yevgeniy Demyanov, "Rabotnik Zaporozhskoy
AES podzheg sebya v dome deputata," Segodnya online edition, 19
December 1998, http://today.viaduk.net.]
{Entered 4/14/2000 GD}
11/17/98: RUSSIA
ANNOUNCES IT WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT UKRAINIAN SPENT FUEL FOR STORAGE As a result of the announcement on 17 November 1998
by the administration of Krasnoyarsk Kray that it will no longer accept
spent nuclear fuel for storage, the Leningrad, Balakovo, Kalinin, Kursk,
and Smolensk nuclear power plants in Russia and the Zaporizhzhya nuclear
power plant in Ukraine must halt the transport of RBMK spent nuclear fuel
to Krasnoyarsk's Mining and Chemical Combine (GKhK). The kray administration
is upset with the fact that it only receives $275 per kilogram of waste
while the international rate is $800-$1000 per kilogram. The administration
has also called for an independent evaluation of the facilities at GKhK,
due to fears that the storage facilities may be overfilled.[1] As
a result of the decision not to accept the nuclear fuel, the territory
will lose about 200 million rubles (approximately $10.7 million)in revenue.
GKhK Managing Director Valeriy Lebedev fears that Ukrainian nuclear authorities
would be unwilling to agree to pay twice as much for storage, and West
European enterprises involved in storage and reprocessing of spent nuclear
fuel might be willing to offer Ukraine more advantageous terms.[2]
According to Segodnya, Deputy Governor of Krasnoyarsk Kray for Ecology
Aleksandra Kulenkova announced that three conditions must be met by the
Russian and Ukrainian governments before additional nuclear waste is accepted:
1) fees for storing and reprocessing the spent nuclear fuel must be pre-paid
in dollars; 2) the price per kilogram must be no lower than $500; and 3)
Krasnoyarsk must be able to participate in negotiating all intergovernmental
agreements between Kiev and Moscow on the question of nuclear fuel storage
and reprocessing. Since the Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom) does not
want to consider the kray's opinion in this matter, the kray has begun
proceedings in the Constitutional Court against Minatom. The situation
has become so heated that the Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov
is planning a visit to the region in an attempt to meet with the Governor
of Krasnoyarsk Kray Aleksandr Lebed and settle the dispute.[3]
Sources: [1] Tatyana Golubovich, "Krasnoyarsk
Kray Has Declared Boycott on Nuclear Waste," Kommersant, 18 November
1998, p. 4; in "Krasnoyarsk Kray Refuses Nuclear Waste," FBIS Document
FTS19981119000338. [2] Yuriy Khots, ITAR-TASS, 1 December
1998; in "Russian Plant Unable to Accept Ukraine's Spent Nuclear Fuel,"
FBIS-TAC-98-335. [3] Igor Saskov, "V Krasnoyarskom kraye
mozhet poyavitsya Chernobyl na kolesakh," Segodnya on-line edition,
http://www.ipres.ru/news/sg/98/11/data/66-7v_kr.htm, 28 November 1998.
{Entered 1/11/99 CEM} 10/31/97-11/1/97: MALFUNCTION REDUCES
UNIT-5 POWER Over the night of 31 October 1997 to
1 November 1997, power output at the Zaporizhzhya NPP fell due to a faulty
unit in the turbine room, according to the Nuclear Regulation Administration
of the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety.
Radiation levels at the power station remained stable.[1] Full power
was resumed on 3 November 1997.[2]
Sources [1] UNIAN, 1 November 1997; in "Ukraine's
Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Malfunctions Overnight," FBIS-SOV-97-305. [2] UNIAN, 3 November 1997; in "Zaporozhye,
Rovno Nuclear Plants Resume Full Operation," FBIS-SOV-97-307.{Entered 11/24/97
AjP}
10/17/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA NPP GENERATES
300 BILLIONTH KWh On 17 September 1997, the Zaporizhzhya
NPP, the largest nuclear power station in Europe, hit a milestone by producing
its 300 billionth kilowatt-hour since the plant came on line in December
1984. In August 1997, nearly 50 percent of electricity generated
in Ukraine was nuclear, compared to 43.76 percent last year.
["Europe's Biggest N-Plant Reaches
Power Milestone," NucNet, 18 September 1997, no. 393.]{Entered 11/24/97
AjP} 10/1/97: POWER RESTORED TO ZAPORIZHZHYA-5 Following an emergency shutdown on
24 September 1997, Unit 5 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP was reconnected to the
national power grid on 1 October 1997. Workers initially disconnected the
fifth reactor because of the possibility of an explosion or fire, due to
a leak in the cooling system of the power generator.
[UNIAN, 1 October 1997; in "Zaporozhyye
Nuclear Station's 5th Unit Resumes Operation," FBIS-SOV-97-274.]{Entered
10/17/97 AjP}
9/24/97: FIFTH REACTOR AT ZAPORIZHZHYA
TAKEN OFF LINE A hydrogen leak in the cooling system
of an electrical generator caused workers to shut down Unit 5 at the Zaporizhzhya
NPP. On 24 September 1997 at 11:25 PM workers disconnected Zaporizhzhya-5
to prevent possible explosion or fire, according to Nuclear Regulation
Administration Information Center at the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental
Protection and Nuclear Safety. The reactor is expected to remain separated
from the national energy grid until 9:00 PM on 25 September 1997, as approved
by Ukraine's national electricity distribution center. Reasons for the
leak are under examination. Radiation levels at the power station remained
stable.
[UNIAN, 25 September 1997; in "Ukraine:
Ukraine's Zaporozhye Plant Generator Disconnected," FBIS-SOV-97-268.]{Entered
10/17/97 AjP}
9/24/97: UNIT 6 BACK ON LINE Workers finished the emergency repairs
to Zaporizhzhya-6 made necessary by the discovery of a water leak in a
major control component. After conducting precautionary tests, workers
began procedures to reconnect Unit 6 on 23 September 1997.[2] The reactor
returned to full power on 24 September 1997.[1]
Sources: [1] UNIAN, 25 September 1997; in "Ukraine's
Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Generator Disconnected," FBIS-SOV-97-268. [2] UNIAN, 23 September 1997; in "Faults
Reported in Ukraine Nuclear Plants," FBIS-SOV-97-266.{Entered 10/17/97
AjP}
9/23/97: OPERATIONAL FAULT REDUCES
ZAPORIZHZHYA-2 OUTPUT, UNIT 6 WORK COMPLETED The Nuclear Regulation Administration
Information Center at the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection
and Nuclear Safety disclosed that an operational fault in Unit 2's control
system took place at 11:05 PM on Tuesday, 23 September 1997. The capacity
of Zaporizhzhya-2 declined from full to 90 percent. Radiation levels
at and surrounding the plant did not change, and normal output was restored
by 12:35 AM. Workers repaired the leaks that caused an emergency
shutdown of Zaporizhzhya-6 on 21 September 1997. Preparations to restart
the unit began early the next morning.
UNIAN, 23 September 1997; in "Faults
Reported in Ukraine Nuclear Plants," FBIS-SOV-97-266.]{Entered 10/17/97
AjP}{Updated 11/21/97 AjP} 9/21/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA-6 HALTED DUE
TO DEFECTS Two water leaks contributed to the
emergency shutdown of Unit 6 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. The first leak to
be detected resulted from a defect in equipment for pressure regulation
within the reactor. The second leak, found in a major automatic control
component on 21 September 1997, led to the unscheduled power stoppage.
Radiation levels at the power station did not fluctuate.
[UNIAN, 22 September 1997; in "Ukraine:
Defects Bring Nuclear Power Plants to Halt," FBIS-SOV-97-265.]{Entered
10/17/97 AjP}
9/19/97: MALFUNCTION CAUSES UNSCHEDULED
STOP FOR SECOND REACTOR The Nuclear Regulation Administration
Information Center at the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection
and Nuclear Safety announced that over the night of 19-20 September 1997,
a malfunctioning electrical transformer forced an emergency shut down of
Zaporizhzhya-2. The transformer connects the reactor to the national power
grid. Radiation levels at the power station remained stable.
[UNIAN, 20 September 1997; in "Ukrainian
Nuclear Plant Reactor Halted due to Malfunction," FBIS-SOV-97-263.]{Entered
10/17/97 AjP} 9/11/97: ANTITERRORIST TRAINING
COMPLETED AT ZAPORIZHZHYA NPP A comprehensive antiterrorist training
program ended on 14 September 1997 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. Officers from
the special services of Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Armenia took part
in the comprehensive program designed to teach procedures for recapturing
compromised strategic facilities. The exercise involved a realistic simulation
of the capture of terrorists who were threatening to blow up the plant
if they did not receive $1 million. Another scenario involved rescuing
hostages from transport vechiles and from the administration building.
The management at Zaporizhzhya NPP believes that although a terrorist
attack is not likely to happen, the Ukrainian power stations should be
prepared.
[Moscow NTV, 11 September 1997; in
"Ukraine: Antiterror Exercise Held at the Ukrainian Atomic Power Station,"
FBIS-SOV-97-257.]{Entered 11/21/97 AjP} 8/29/97: UNIT 3 POWER REDUCED A fault in the turbine unit of Zaporizhzhya-3
caused power output to be reduced to 80 percent, according to the Information
Center at the Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear
Safety.
[UNIAN, 29 August 1997; in "Power Reductions
Occur at Two Nuclear Plants in Ukraine," FBIS-SOV-97-241.]{Entered 11/24/97
AjP} 7/8/97: RAIN CAUSES ZAPORIZHZHYA-4
SHUTDOWN On 7 July 1997 Unit 4 underwent emergency
closure after rain water leaked into the wiring of the reactor's turbogenerator
control system. The unit was restarted the next day following the completion
of repairs.
[UNIAN, 8 July 1997; in "Ukraine: Emergency
Shutdown at Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant," FBIS-SOV-97-189.]{Entered 11/21/97
AjP} 7/3/97: MALFUNCTION HALTS ZAPORIZHZHYA-5 On 3 July 1997, Unit 5 at the Zaporizhzhya
NPP shut down after operating for just one day following the completion
of a long term overhaul. The stoppage occurred due to a defect in the turbogenerator
vibration control system. During the repairs, workers also found a flaw
in the waterproof seal of a reactor component, from which a small amount
of steam had leaked into the reactor shield. The unit must be cooled
before work to repair this fault can begin. Radiation levels at the power
station remained stable.
[UNIAN, 3 July 1997; "Ukraine: Unit
at Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant Stopped Due to Fault," FBIS-TEN-97-184.]{Entered
11/21/97 AjP} 5/19/97: FAULT HALTS ZAPORIZHZHYA-2 An emergency shut down of Unit 2 at
the Zaporizhzhya NPP took place in the early morning of 19 May 1997, according
to the Nuclear Safety Control Administration of the Ukrainian Ministry
of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety. A malfunction in an electric
transformer supplying energy to the unit caused the shutdown. Reasons for
the malfunction are under examination.[1] Derzhkomatom spokesman Nikolai
Oberkovitch stated that the event was not serious and that radioactivity
levels did not fluctuate. [2]
Sources: [1] UNIAN, 19 May 1997; in "Emergency
Stoppage at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Station," FBIS-TEN-97-139. [2] AFP, 19 May 1997; in "AFP--Incidents
at Chernobyl, Zaporozheh Nuclear Plants," FBIS-TEN-97-006-L. {Entered 10/17/97
AjP} 5/5/97: UNIT 5 STOPPED FOR REFUELING Operators halted power production at
Zaporizhzhya-5 on 5 May 1997 for scheduled refueling and repairs, announced
the Nuclear Safety Control Administration of the Ukrainian Ministry of
Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety. This date was chosen under
the timeframe Derzhkomatom set forth in order to take advantage of the
lower rates of consumption during the spring and summer months.
[UNIAN, 5 May 1997; in "Nuclear
Power Stations Refueled According to Schedule," FBIS-SOV-97-125.]{Entered
10/17/97 AjP} 5/2/97: MAINTENANCE ON UNIT 2 COMPLETED Workers restarted Zaporizhzhya-2 after
finishing routine repairs. A schedule set by the national electricity control
center has put Unit 2 production at 50 percent design capacity.
[UNIAN, 2 May 1997; in "Ukraine:
Generating Set at S. Ukrainian Plant Halted for Maintenance," FBIS-SOV-97-122.]{Entered
11/14/97 AjP}
4/25/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA-2 START UP
DELAYED An attempt to restart Zaporizhzhya-2
early failed, according to the Information Center of the Ukrainian Ministry
of Environmental and Nuclear Safety. Workers completed a major overhaul
ahead of schedule, but a fault within the main circulation pump responsible
for providing the reactor with cool water forced start-up procedures on
Unit 2 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP to stop. A successful start up is expected
by 1 May 1997, the date originally projected for completion of the maintenance
work.
[UNIAN, 25 April 1997; in "Start-Up
of Zaporozhye Nucler Power Plant Halted," FBIS-SOV-97-115.]{Entered 10/31/97
AjP} 4/20/97: UNIT 6 BACK ON LINE, UNIT
5 STOPPED FOR PLANNED MAINTENANCE After completing an examination of
all metal structures exposed to acidic water in the reactor, workers restarted
Zaporizhzhya-6 on 20 April 1997. The reactor had shut down on 7 April 1997
due to a reactor unit flaw. Unit 6 had resumed 100 percent power generating
capacity by the morning of 21 April 1997.
Zaporizhzhya-5 shut down at 3:00 AM
on 20 April 1997 to undergo refueling and long term maintenance, according
to the Information Center of the Nuclear Control Administration at the
Ukrainian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety. Derzhkomatom's
schedule requires Unit 5 to go back on line by 28 June 1997.
[UNIAN, 21 April 1997; in "Nuclear
Power Station Stopped for Scheduled Repairs," FBIS-SOV-97-111.]{Entered
11/14/97 AjP} 4/15/97-4/16/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA-4
CLOSED FOR REPAIRS At 3:00 PM on 15 April 1997 Unit 4
at the Zaporizhzhya NPP underwent a planned shutdown in order to secure
a hydrogen leak in the generator cover in the turbine room, according to
Zaporizhzhya's information center. Workers reconnected the reactor to the
national electricity grid at 1:36 AM on 16 April 1997 after completing
the necessary maintenance.
[Interfax, 16 April 1997; in
"Zaporozhyzhya Nuclear Reactor Shut Down for Repairs," FBIS-TEN-97-106.]{Entered
11/14/97 AjP} 4/13/97: MALFUNCTION STOPS UNIT
4 A malfunctioning control rod caused
the shut down of Zaporizhzhya-4 on 13 April 1997.[1, 2] According to a
plant spokeswoman, one of the 61 control rods used to moderate nuclear
activity failed to descend into the reactor core within the time allowed
by regulations.[2] Power will resume midday on 14 April 1997.[1]
Sources: [1] Interfax, 14 April 1997;
in "Reactor Safety Rod at Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant," FBIS-SOV-97-104. [2] "Problems at Ukrainian Nuclear
Plant Fixed," RFE/RL Newsline, vol. 1, no. 11, 15 April 1997.{Entered 11/14/97
AjP} 4/8/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA PRODUCES 39.3
PERCENT OF UKRAINE'S NUCLEAR POWER OUTPUT In the first quarter of 1997, the Zaporizhzhya
nuclear power plant produced 9.22 billion kilowatt hours of electricity,
some 39.3 percent of Ukraine's nuclear power output, and 17.9 percent of
the country's total electricity production. Zaporizhzhya produced 3.103
billion kilowatt hours in March 1997, 3.2 percent above the target. Plant
capacity was 69.9 percent.
[Interfax, 8 April 1997; in
"Nuclear Power Generators Achieve Capacity, Safety Targets," FBIS-SOV-97-098.]{Entered
11/6/97 JP} 4/8/97: UNIT 6 SHUT DOWN FOR REPAIRS Personnel shut down Zaporizhzhya-6
on 8 April 1997 because of a water leak caused by a fault in the reactor
cover. Steam escaped into the reactor's sealed zone, but did not pass the
seal itself. Radiation levels did not change. Unit 6 will remain off line
until 13 May 1997 and will be reconnected to the power grid when repairs
are completed.
[UNIAN, 8 April 1997; in "Nuclear
Reactor at Zaporozhye Shut Down Until 13 May," FBIS-SOV-97-098.]{Entered
11/6/97 JP} 4/3/97: AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN AT ZAPORIZHZHYA-6 On 3 April 1997, a feeding unit at
the second steam generator failed, causing automatic shut down. Workers
completed repairs by early on 4 April 1997 and prepared to restart the
reactor.[1] The shut down on 3 April was the twelfth minor incident reported
in 1997.[2]
Sources: [1] Interfax, 4 April 1997;
in "Sixth Power Unit of Zaporozhye Nuclear Station Switched Off," FBIS--SOV-97-094. [2] Financial Times East
European Energy Report, No. 67, March 1997, p. 27. {Entered 11/6/97
JP} 4/3/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA-6 FORMALLY
COMMISSIONED A Ukrainian state acceptance committee
has commissioned Unit 6 at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power station. The
Unit 6 project began in 1985 with a completion deadline of 1990. A parliamentary
moratorium suspended work on the reactor, and work was not completed until
December 1996, after the Parliament had revoked the moratorium. Since December
1996, Unit 6 has produced 7.3 billion kilowatts of electricity.
[Radio Ukraine, 3 April 1997;
in "Committee Commissions Nuclear Power Station's Sixth," FBIS-SOV-97-094.]{Entered
11/6/97 JP}
3/30/97: SHUT DOWN AND QUICK REPAIR
ON ZAPORIZHZHYA-6 On 30 March 1997, output at Unit 6
at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant was reduced to allow repair of
a malfunctioning turboregulator. Output was then restored. One hour later,
a faulty regulator on a cooling pump disconnected the pump, causing the
first emergency shut down of Unit 6 since the reactor was brought on line
in October 1995.[1] Repair workers corrected the fault within four hours,
and early on 31 March 1997, the reactor was brought back on line at a very
low operational level. Radiation levels remained within acceptable norms.[2]
During the 31 March 1997 restart, technicians discovered a turbine fault,
causing them to shut the reactor down again. They repaired the fault and
restarted Unit 6 on 1 April 1997.[3]
Sources: [1] UNIAN, 31 March 1997; in
"Generating Set at Zaporozhe Nuclear Power Station Stopped," FBIS-SOV-97-090. [2] Radio Ukraine World Service,
31 March 1997; in "Fault at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Station Corrected,"
FBIS-SOV-97-090. [3] Financial Times East
European Energy Report, No. 67, March 1997, p. 27.{Entered 11/3/97
JP}
3/27/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA-3 SHUTS DOWN At 7:10 PM on 27 March 1997 workers
halted power generation from Unit 3 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. The reactor
shut down after the electrical generator's [safety] system alerted workers
to a faulty linkage between the turbine generator and the exciter. The
public relations center of the Ukrainian Nuclear Power Committee disclosed
that Zaporizhzhya-3 was closed for maintenance repairs.
[Interfax, 27 March 1997; in "Power
Unit of Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant Switched Off," FBIS-SOV-97-086.]{Entered
10/30/97 AjP}
3/13/97: UNIT 6 BACK ON LINE Having completed a timely replacement
of worn parts, preventive maintenance overhaul, and successful refueling,
workers reconnected Zaporizhzhya-6 to the national electricity circuit.
[UT-1 Television Network, 13 March
1997; in "Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant: Sixth Generating Set Reconnected,"
FBIS-SOV-97-072.]{Entered 10/27/97 AjP}
2/20/97: MINISTRY ISSUES LICENSES TO IMPROVE SAFETY Two specialists at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power
plant have received licenses from the State Nuclear Power Inspectorate
of the Ministry of Environment and Nuclear Safety, the first such licenses
issued. Inspectorate Chairman Anatoliy Demyanenko said that such licenses
to nuclear plant personnel will improve nuclear safety.
[UNIAN, 20 February 1997; in
"First Licenses Issued for Safe Operation of Nuclear Plants," FBIS-TAC-97-008.]{Entered
11/3/97 JP}
2/16/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA-2 TO
UNDERGO SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Workers halted Unit 2 at Zaporizhzhya
NPP to begin a scheduled overhaul, according to the Ministry of Environmental
Protection and Nuclear Safety. The repair, including both preventive
measures and refueling, should be completed by 1 May 1997.
[UNIAN, 17 February 1997; in "Ukraine:
Zaporizhyzhya Nuclear Plant Set Undergoing Maintenance," FBIS-SOV-97-032.]{Entered
10/27/97 AjP}
2/13/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA TO RECEIVE FF 4.6 MILLION
FROM FRANCE France and Ukraine have signed a protocol to grant
the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant FF 4.6 million ($800,000, using the
13 February 1997 exchange rate).[1] The grant is to be used for technical
assistance for safety improvements, including safety equipment, expert
consultants, and training of Ukrainian technicians in France. In this first
phase of a seven-phase program, the French government will transfer the
funding to the French company Sogelec, which will deliver the equipment
to Zaporizhzhya. In the second phase, Sogelec will deliver equipment worth
FF 8.4 billion ($1.5 billion, using the 13 February 1997 exchange rate),
which Zaporizhzhya will purchase. The first two phases of the program will
last two years.[2]
Sources: [1] Izvestiya Ukraina,
13 February 1997, p. 1; in "France Gives Grant Toward Zaporozhye N-Plant
Safety Project," FBIS-SOV-97-031. [2] Eastern Economist,
24 February 1997, p. 16. {Entered 11/3/97 JP}
1/30/97: UNIT 2 REMOVED FROM POWER GRID, REPAIRED Personnel disconnected Unit 2 at the Zaporizhzhya
nuclear power plant at 0818 GMT on 30 January 1997 after an increase in
the water level in the steam generator caused the main circulating pump
to switch itself off. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations,
all repairs were completed by 1000 GMT, and the reactor was brought to
40 percent capacity, then increased. Background radiation levels remained
normal.
[UNIAN, 31 January 1997; in
"'Incidents' Reported at Nuclear Power Stations," FBIS-SOV-97-022.]{Entered
11/3/97 JP}
1/25/97: EMERGENCY SHUTS DOWN ZAPORIZHZHYA-1 Unit 1 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP underwent
emergency closure at 1:45 AM on 25 January 1997. Non-radioactive
steam leaked from a damaged auxiliary pipeline into a sealed area within
the reactor, causing the shutdown. Repairs to the pipeline will be completed
and the reactor will go back on line by 30 January. The incident
did not affect background radiation levels.
[UNIAN, 25 January 1997; in "Ukraine:
'Emergency' Shutdown of Zaporozhye Nuclear Generating Unit," FBIS-SOV-97-017.]{Entered
10/24/97 AjP}
1/18/97: PERMISSION NOT GIVEN TO
RELOAD UNIT 6 FUEL Despite successfully removing spent
fuel from the reactor, workers were denied permission for loading fresh
fuel into Zaporizhzhya-6, according to Oleksandr Smyshlyayev, the first
deputy minister of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety and head
of the Nuclear Regulation Administration. Zaporizhzhya NPP fell short of
the necessary criteria to receive a license to continue operating. The
State Nuclear Inspectorate declared that the technical condition of Zaporizhzhya-6
is unsatisfactory. The power plant also failed to comply with Ukrainian
law, which states all nuclear plants must have functional radioactive waste
storage and supporting social facilities to acquire an operating license.
Zaporizhzhya is lacking the $2 million necessary for the facility improvements
because of their customers inability to pay.
[UNIAN, 18 January 1997; in "Zaporozhye
Nuclear Station Fails To Obtain License," FBIS-SOV-97-014.]{Entered 10/27/97
AjP}
1/14/97: UNIT 3 OUTPUT DECREASED
BY ONE-THIRD The automatic safety system of
Zaporizhzhya-3 decreased the unit's output by one-third of the design capacity
due to a malfunctioning electronic circuit in one of the cooling pumps,
which caused the pump to stop. Workers completed the repair of the
circuit in three hours and restored the reactors to full operating capacity.
Radiation levels at and near the plant did not fluctuate.
[UNIAN, 14 January 1997; in "Zaporozhye
Nuclear Plant Unit Experiences Fault," FBIS-SOV-97-010.]{Entered 10/24/97
AjP} 1/7/97: ZAPORIZHZHYA REACHES 12-YEAR
OUTPUT HIGH According to a Ukrainian radio broadcast,
electricity production at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in December
1996 was 3.6 billion kilowatts, the highest output in the plant's 12-year
history.
[Ustina Markus, "Output of Ukraine's
Zaporizhzhya Station," OMRI Daily Digest, 7 January 1997.]{Entered 11/3/97
JP} 12/21/96: ZAPORIZHZHYA-6 HALTED
FOR SCHEDULED REPAIRS Unit 6 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP shut
down on 21 December 1996 for routine service, after having produced 6.9
TWh of electricity in 312 days of operation since its opening in October
1995. According to Derzhkomatom, maintenance work will include a partial
refueling and will end by 20 March 1997. Background radiation levels
did not change.
[ITAR-TASS, 21 December 1996; in "Zaporozhye
Reactor Shut Down for 'Routine Maintenance,'" FBIS-SOV-97-003.]{Entered
10/24/97 AjP} 12/12/96: ZAPORIZHZHYA NUCLEAR POWER
PLANT TO UNDERGO IAEA INSPECTIONS According to the public relations center
of the Ukrainian State Committee for the Use of Nuclear Power, International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors will visit the Zaporizhzhya nuclear
power plant the week of 16 December 1996. The visit is part of a planned
tour of Ukraine's nuclear facilities. During the tour, the team will inspect
and renew IAEA seals at nuclear material storage facilities, check nuclear
material registration, and perform maintenance on video systems.
[UNIAN, 12 December 1996; in "IAEA
Experts Inspect Nuclear Facilities," FBIS-TAC-97-003.]{Entered 11/3/97
JP}
12/6/96: ZAPORIZHZHYA-4 OIL LEAK REPAIRED An oil leak in a turbogenerator at Zaporizhzhya-4,
which caused the unit to be shut down at 0200 on 4 December 1996, has been
sealed.
[BBC Monitoring Service, 13 December
1996.]{Entered 11/3/97 JP} 12/1/96: UNIT 1 AT ZAPORIZHZHYA
NPP TEMPORARILY CLOSED Early morning on 1 December 1996, Zaporizhzhya-1
underwent an unplanned shutdown due to a faulty element in the generator's
auxiliary system. The unit was disconnected from the national power grid
with prior approval from the Ukrainian electricity distribution center,
according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety.
Workers completed the repair and reconnected the generating set by noon
of the same day. Background radiation levels did not fluctuate.
[UNIAN, 2 December 1996; in "Fault
Halts Generating Set at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Station," BBC Monitoring
Service, 3 December 1996.]{Entered 10/24/97 AjP}
11/17/96: FAULT SHUTS DOWN ZAPORIZHZHYA-4 Unit 4 at the Zaporizhzhya NPP was
disconnected from the national power grid from 6:30 AM until 6:20 PM on
17
November 1996 while a malfunction was repaired. Workers located the fault
in the line supplying oil to the turbogenerator bearings.
[ITAR-TASS, 19 November 1996; in "Malfunction
Closes Reactor at Zaporozhye Nuke Power Plant," FBIS-SOV-96-225.]{Entered
10/24/97 AjP}
11/1/96: PRIME MINISTER OUTLINES ILLS OF ZAPORIZHZHYA;
FIRES DIRECTOR GENERAL Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavel Lazarenko dismissed Zaporizhzhya
NPP Director General Volodymyr Bronnikov during a meeting of Ukrainian
NPP directors and chief engineers. Lazarenko said that the energy situation
has worsened under Bronnikov's management, noting a loss of more than 4
billion KWh due to 240 days of unit repair. In addition, three units were
stopped at one point causing "a massive emergency power cut to almost all
companies in Ukraine."
[Interfax-Ukraine, 11/1/96; in "Premier Says Government To
End 'Squandering' Of Electricity," FBIS-SOV-96-213, 11/1/96.] {Entered
1/16/97, MEW}
8/96: US-SPANISH CONSORTIUM TO WORK AT ZAPORIZHZHYA A US-Spanish consortium, comprising Duke Engineering and
Empresarios Agrupados SA, has signed an agreement with the Ukrainian nuclear
company Energoatom to perform engineering and technical maintenance on
power units at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. It is expected that the consortium
will also work with other Ukrainian nuclear plants in the future.
[East European Report, 8/96, p. 22; in UI News Briefing
96.35-11, http://www.uilondon.org/nb/nb96/
nb9635.html] {Entered 11/30/96 GN}
8/21/96:ZAPORIZHZHYA NPP TO INCREASE OUTPUT AND
IMPROVE NUCLEAR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES Zaporizhzhya NPP management is planning to increase energy
output up to 42 billion kWh by 2000, as well as to significantly improve
the system of physical protection of nuclear materials at the plant. According
to plant manager Volodymyr Bronnikov, the planned increase in output will
be equivalent to starting an extra nuclear power unit. This task will be
achieved by cutting the duration of repairs while simultaneously improving
the quality of maintenance and repair operations. The plant's management
is also going to develop a strict procedure for providing timely supplies
of expendable materials and to provide dry nuclear fuel storage. Bronnikov
emphasized that the plant's standards for physical protection of nuclear
materials are extremely outdated and meet neither international nor national
nuclear security requirements. The plant's management plans to install
monitoring equipment and a system of physical barriers with an automated
access system for areas where nuclear fuel is stored. Bronnikov mentioned
that the management's plan for improvements also includes limiting plant
employees' access to nuclear installations and storage areas and the establishment
of an internal safety and security service for the plant.
[Interfax, 8/21/96; in "Zaporizhzhiya Nuclear Plant to Increase
Output," FBIS-TAC-96-009, 8/21/96.] {Entered 12/10/96 GN}
5/20/96: UNIT 3 IS SHUT DOWN DUE TO LEAK IN COOLING SYSTEM According to a Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear
Safety spokesman, Unit 3 was shutdown due to a leak in the cooling system.
He stated that the incident did not involve radioactive material.
[United Press International, 5/20/96; in "Two Ukrainian Nuclear
Reactors Stopped," Executive News Service, 5/20/96.]
5/4/96: UNIT 2: LEAK OF BORATED PRIMARY COOLANT ONTO VESSEL
HEAD There was a leak of borated primary coolant onto the vessel
head in Unit 2. The leak occurred due to a failure to ensure that a seal
between a thermocouple penetration and the lid was leakproof. The incident
has precipitated a modification in operating procedures. Derzhkomatom now
no longer needs to prove the need for a special inspection when potentially
susceptible metal is exposed to acid attack.
[Peter Coryn, "Borated Coolant Leaks Onto Stud Bolts Of Zaporozhe
Reactor Head," Nucleonics Week, 5/16/96, p. 14.]
4/16/96:UNIT 1 IS SHUT DOWN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Unit 1 was shut down for scheduled maintenance according
to Ukrainian radio reports. The work is scheduled to take more than three
months and will include partial reloading of the unit's nuclear fuel and
the upgrading of existing systems.
[Radio Ukraine, 4/16/96; in "Ukraine: No 1 Reactor At South
Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant Stops For Maintenance," BBC Monitoring Service,
4/16/96.]
4/6/96:UNIT 1 IS TAKEN OFF LINE DUE TO A STEAM
LEAK - 0 ON INES Unit 1 was taken off line due to a steam leak. The incident
rated a zero on the INES and the reactor was expected to be brought back
on line on 4/8/96.
["Steam Leak Shuts Reactor At Key Ukraine Station," Reuters,
4/6/96.]
3/27/96:UNIT 3 IS TAKEN OFF LINE - 0 ON INES Unit 3 was taken off line due to problems with the reactor's
hermetic seal. The incident rated a zero on the INES and the reactor was
expected to be brought back on line on 3/31/96.
["Vidklyucheno 3-y Enerhoblok ZAES," Holos Ukrainy,
3/29/96, p. 1.]
3/2/96:CONSUMERS OWE ZAPORIZHZHYA STATION MORE
THAN IT OWES FUEL SUPPLIERS According to Zaporizhzhya's director, Volodymyr Bronnikov,
the station owes $160 for nuclear fuel and is owed $200 million for power
it has supplied to consumers.
["Turbota Pro Triokh Kytiv Atomnogo Okeanu," Holos Ukrainy,
3/2/96, p. 1.]
2/20/96:CAPACITY UTILIZATION AT UNIT 6 IS RAISED
FROM 75% TO 90% Capacity utilization was raised from 75% to 90% at Unit 6.
The plant operators are waiting for permission from the Ministry of Environmental
Protection and Nuclear Safety for 100% operation, which is expected to
be given after further operational tests.
Sources: [1] "Ukraine N-Plants: Now Some Good News," Nucnet,
3/21/96. [2] "Zaporizhzhya-6 Increases Power To 90 Percent," Nuclear
News, 5/96.
2/18/96:UNIAN REPORT ON UNITS 5 AND 6 According to UNIAN, Unit 6 was shutdown due to a breakdown
of the steam generator. Repairs were completed the same day. UNIAN had
reported earlier that Units 5 and 6 had been disconnected for routine tests.
["Russia: Conflicting Reports On Stoppage At Zaporizhzhya
Nuclear Power Plant," UNIAN, 2/23/96.]
2/12/96: UKRAINIAN CUT OFF FROM RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN POWER
GRID LED TO INCREASING UNIT 6 PRODUCTION After Ukraine was cut off from the Russian-Ukrainian power
grid, the Zaporizhzhya NPP increased power production to a plant high of
5,264 Mw. Scheduled maintenance for Unit 5 was delayed until 2/17/96, after
the miners' strike ended, at which time it was shut down. Unit 6 was taken
off line on 2/18/96 for routine testing. A lack of fuel is preventing the
full operation of Unit 2 according to Minister of Energy Sheberstov.
["Nuclear Power Plants Pushed To Compensate For Cut From
Power Grids," Post-Soviet Nuclear and Defense Monitor, 3/12/96,
p. 7.]
1/31/96:BREAKDOWN IN THE CONTROL SYSTEM OF UNIT
3 An automatic shutdown of Unit 3 occurred due to a breakdown
in the control system. At the time of the shutdown, the unit was working
at 90% of its capacity. The cause of the incident was being investigated.
[UNIAN, 1/31/96; in "Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant No
3 Unit Shut Down On 31st January," BBC Monitoring Service, 2/2/96.]
1/26/96:SMALL FAULTS IN UNIT 6 TURBINE EQUIPMENT Unit 6 was brought up to 70% of design capacity and the plant
has been authorized to bring the unit's output to 75% of capacity. According
to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety, small faults
have been discovered in the turbine equipment at unit 6, but these do not
pose significant problems.
[UNIAN, 1/26/96; in "Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant No 6 Unit
Capacity Reduced On 29th January," BBC Monitoring Service, 2/2/96.]
1995:61 ACCIDENTS IN 1995 AT ZAPORIZHZHYA NPP Zaporizhzhya NPP was reported to have the worst safety record
for Ukrainian NPPs with 61 accidents in 1995. This was up from 36 accidents
in 1994.
[Chrystyna Lapychak, "Chornobyl Has Best Safety Record For
Second Consecutive Year," Omri Daily Digest, 1/12/96.]
12/8/95:UNIT 5 WAS BROUGHT BACK ON LINE After a temporary shut down, Unit 5 at Zaporizhzhya came
back on line.
["Ukraine: Reactor Back On Line, But Grid Problems Continue,"
NucNet,
12/8/95.]
12/7/95: WATER LEVEL FELL IN THREE OF UNIT 5'S STEAM GENERATORS Unit 5 was automatically shut down after the water level
fell in three of the reactor's steam generators. Plant management reported
no radiation leaks. With three reactors down (see 12/4/95 below), power
supply to consumers during the winter peak was threatened. On the other
hand, OMRI reports that only two reactors were shutdown at Zaporizhzhya.
Nuclear energy reportedly provides 40% of Ukraine's electricity in the
winter.
Sources: [1] "Zupyneno 5-i Energoblok Zaporizkoi AES," Holos Ukrainy,
12/9/95, p. 1. [2] "New Nuclear Shutdown Threatens Ukraine Power Grid,"
Executive News Service, 12/7/95. [3] Chrystyna Lapychak, "Another Mishap Shuts Down Second
Reactor At Ukrainian Nuclear Plant," OMRI Daily Digest, 12/8/95.
12/4/95: INCREASE IN RADIOACTIVITY UNDER HERMETIC COVER It was reported by Interfax in Moscow that Unit 1 was shut
down and will be inactive until 12/8/95 for repairs. The shutdown was caused
by an increase in radioactivity under the seal's hermetic cover; prior
to the shutdown, a water leak was detected in the reactor's cooling system.
A Zaporizhzhya plant spokesman said the disconnection was the result of
non-payment by Ukrainian electricity consumers. According to the Russian
news agency Interfax, Zaporizhzhya was operating at only 32.5% of its capacity
in 10/95.
Sources: [1] UNIAN, 12/5/95; in "Generating Unit Shutdown At Zaporizhzhya
Nuclear Power Station," BBC Monitoring Service, 12/7/95. [2] Interfax, 12/5/95; in "Russian and Ukrainian Electricity
Grids Disconnected," BBC Monitoring Service, 12/8/95.
12/4/95:LEAK OF RADIOACTIVE STEAM FROM A PUMP
AT UNIT 4 - 0 ON INES Unit 4 was shutdown due to a leak of radioactive steam from
a pump. The incident rated a 0 on the 7 point INES scale. It was reported
that Zaporizhzhya has the poorest safety record of Ukraine's five nuclear
power plants.
[Chrystyna Lapychak, "Radioactive Leak Prompts Reactor Shutdown
At Ukrainian Plant," OMRI Daily Digest, 12/6/95.]
12/1/95:UNIT 1'S CAPACITY REDUCED FOR REPAIR WORK Unit 1 had its capacity reduced for repair work. This unit
was expected to return to normal capacity by 12/5/95, after maintenance
work had been completed.
Sources: [1] BBC Monitoring Service, 8/12/95; in "Nuclear Safety,"
IAEA Daily Press Review, 8/12/95. [2] "Ukraine: Capacity Of Two Nuclear Generating Units reduced
In Ukraine," BBC Monitoring Service, 12/8/95.
12/95:ZAPORIZHZHYA AUTHORITIES SUGGEST CREATING
PRIVATE COMPANY "ENERHOATOM-DNEPR." Zaporizhzhya authorities suggested combining Zaporizhzhya
NPP, the Zaporizhzhya electric power station, high voltage power lines,
and distribution power networks to create the private company "Enerhoatom-Dnepr."
This company would make a profit by supplying electric power for not less
than 75% of the European cost while leaving the state to take care of nuclear
safety at the plants.
["On The Issue Of Structural Reorganization In The Nuclear
Branch," News From Ukraine, 12/95, p. 2.]
11/16/95:UNIT 6 WILL INCREASE TO 75% CAPACITY Unit 6 was put back on-line after a ten day shutdown due
to a faulty steam-generator and concerns of leaks of radioactive water.
An official from Derzhkomatom reported that Unit 6 will operate at 40%
capacity and will increase to 75% in the near future.
Sources: [1] UNIAN, 11/16/95; in FBIS-SOV-95-222, 11/16/95. [2] Roger Kangas, "Ukraine Gives Green Light To Nuclear Reactor,"
OMRI Daily Digest, 11/17/95. [3] "Ukraine Reactor Repaired A Month After Start-up," Reuters,
11/16/95.
11/7/95: UNIT 4 IS RECONNECTED TO UKRAINE'S ELECTRICITY
GRID Unit 4 was reportedly reconnected to Ukraine's electricity
grid following planned maintenance work. The reactor power output was to
be raised to 70% of capacity.
[Ukrainian TV, 11/7/95; in "Ukraine: Generating Set
At Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Station Reconnected To Ukrainian Grid," BBC Monitoring
Service, 11/17/95.]
11/7/95: NIKOPOL ORGANIZATIONS PROTEST THE OPENING OF
UNIT 6 Political and civil organizations of Nikopol sent a letter
to President Leonid Kuchma, Prime Minister Yevhen Marchuk, Speaker Oleksandr
Moroz, US Ambassador Miller and others in protest of the opening of Unit
6. They complained that the environment and the health and safety of Ukrainian
citizens around the NPP are at risk.
["Znernennya Predstavnykiv Hromadskykh Ta Politychnykh Orhanizatsii
M. Nikopolya Z Pryvodu VVedennya 6 Bloku Zapoizskoi AES," Zeleny Svit,
12/95, No. 12(91), p. 2.]
10/19/95:UNIT 6 IS CONNECTED TO UKRAINIAN POWER
GRID Unit 6 was connected to the Ukrainian power grid and was
granted an initial license for operation at up to 400 MWe, or 40% of gross
capacity.
[Nucnet, 471/95, 10/19/95.]
10/6/95:UNIT 6 IS SWITCHED ON Unit 6 was switched on, making the Zaporizhzhya plant the
most powerful nuclear power station in Europe with a total capacity of
5,700 megawatts. Unit 6 is a VVER-1000 pressurized water reactor that will
be connected to the grid only after undergoing further test and inspections.
There are now 15 operational reactors in Ukraine providing over 34% of
the country's energy needs.
Sources: [1] "Ukraine Opens New Nuclear Reactor," UPI,
10/6/95. [2] "Ukraine," UI News Briefing, NB95.41-1, 10/3-10/95.
10/95: TWO UNITS DOWN AT ZAPORIZHZHYA Units 1 and 4 were down for refueling and/or maintenance
for at least part of 10/95.
["Ukraine," Nucleonics Week, 11/9/95, p. 15.]
9/1/95:EARLY RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM WILL BE
INTRODUCED TO PLANT IN SEPTEMBER The head of Zaporizhzhya's Regional Administration for Ecological
Safety announced that an early radiation detection system will be introduced
in the plant in September. According to Anatoly Dobrovolsky, reliable sensors
will be placed within a 30 kilometer radius of the facility. ["Storage Casks, Radiation Detection System at Zaporizhzhya,"
Post-Soviet Nuclear & Defense Monitor, 9/1/95, p. 13.]
8/27/95:UNIT 6 COMPLETED LOADING OF NuclearFuel The loading of nuclear fuel into Unit 6 was completed, according
to the MEPNS information center. ["New Launch Delayed at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant,"
UNIAN, 8/27/95.]
8/13/95: ONLY TWO UNITS ARE FUNCTIONING It was reported by the State Committee for the Use of Atomic
Energy that only two units are functioning (not specified), and those at
only 50% capacity. ["Only Eight Nuclear Reactors Functioning," UNIAN, 8/3/95.]
8/10/95: REACTOR FUEL WILL BE LOADED INTO SIXTH UNIT The official go-ahead was given to load reactor fuel in the
sixth unit. Loading is scheduled to begin on August 12-13. [Jack Ashton, "Green-Light for Ukraine's Newest Power
Reactor," NucNet, 8/10/95, p. 15.]
8/7/95:UNIT 6 WILL NOT RECEIVE LICENSE Ukrainian regional authorities forbid Yuriy Horozhin, head
of the regional inspection of state construction control, to sign a license
to launch Unit 6. Authorities charge that the State Committee for the Use
of Atomic Energy (SCUAE) has not provided funds for the needed social infrastructure,
such as housing. The plant also lacks the resources to obtain needed equipment
from Russia and to dispose of spent fuel. The launching of Unit 6 will
be delayed, according to Horozhin, until there is a social infrastructure
for the displaced Chornobyl workers, resources are available to obtain
needed equipment (unspecified) from Russia, and a mechanism is in place
to dispose of spent fuel. Mikhailo Umanets, Chairman of the SCUAE, said
he will ask the government for KRB40 trillion to assist the plant with
the operation of Unit 6. Sources: [1] "Regional Authorities Stop Opening of Power Plant,"
Post-Soviet Nuclear & Defense Monitor, 8/7/95, p. 14. [2] "Ukraine Regulatory Body Wins Licensing Authority,"
Post-Soviet Nuclear & Defense Monitor, 9/1/95, p. 2.
7/31/95: UNIT 6 WILL BE 40% OPERATIONAL BY AUGUST Operation of Unit 6, according to the State Committee for
the Use of Atomic Energy, would bring the plant's total output up to 6,000
megawatts from the reported 5-unit, 5000 megawatt level. Committee Chairman
Mykhailo Umanets, reported that Unit 6 should be 40% operational by early
August. ["New Zaporizhzhya Reactor Operational," Intelnews, 7/31/95.]
7/10/95: ZAPORIZHZHYA-6 HAS RECEIVED GENERAL LICENSE The Ministry for Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety
has approved the issuing of a general license for Zaporizhzhya-6 which
allows for fuel loading, reactor start-up, pre-operational tests, and power
increases. Physical preparations of the VVER-1000 are reported to be complete.
The operating license is good through the end of 1996. The unit is expected
to be at full power by December.
Sources: [1] NucNet News, no. 300, 7/7/95. [2] NucNet News, no. 303, 7/10/95. [3] "Ukraine Regulatory Body Wins Licensing Authority," Post-Soviet
Nuclear & Defense Monitor, 9/1/95, p. 2. [4] "Zaporizhzhya-6 was Issued an Operating License," Nuclear
News, 8/95, p. 87. [5] "Zaporizhzhya Startup," Nuclear Engineering International,
9/95, p. 6.
7/95:UNITS 1 AND 2 DO NOT HAVE FUEL STOCK FOR
WINTER Units 1 and 2 reportedly do not have a full fuel stock for
the winter. Also, 20% of valves and 70% of other components are in need
of replacement, according to the Committee for the Use of Atomic Energy.
For Reactor No. 6, the finance ministry has only provided KBV900 billion
out of the KBV1.25 trillion needed. In early July, Zaporizhzhya personnel
held a protest meeting in Energodar. In response, the Council of Ministers
announced a plan to meet Zaporizhzhya's full financial need. The government
further foresees allowing the Committee for the Use of Atomic Energy to
directly sell 30% of the power generated by Ukraine's NPPs. [Peter Coryn, "Ukraine Taking Emergency Measures to Eases
Nuclear Plants' Money Woes," Nucleonics Week, 7/27/95, p. 15.]
6/19/95:TRANSFORMER WAS BEING BROUGHT ON LINE
AT UNIT 3 Reactor No. 3 was shut down on June 19 due to damage done
to its switch 'A' when the transformer was being brought on-line, according
to the plant's press center. When this occurred, the output of the reactor
dropped to 40% of nominal output. Two hours later the reactor was completely
shut-off. The radiation background remained unchanged. ["Otklyuchen Energoblok," Pravda, 6/22/95, p. 3.]
6/95:ANNUAL LOAD FACTOR IN UKRAINE Unit 4 had the third highest annual load factor in Ukraine
through this date, at 67.5%, as compared to the Ukrainian annual average
of 62.2%. ["Load Factors To End June 1995," Nuclear Engineering International, pp. 50-51.]
5/15/95:UKRAINIAN LOSSES IN ELECTRICITY - 0 ON
INES Operations at Unit 1 were halted in the latter half of 4/95
for repairs and partial fuel reloading. The reactor pool for Unit 1 is
so full of spent fuel rods that only partial fuel discharge is possible.
It was decided that fuel from Unit 1 would be transported to Unit 2, which
had to be shut down for 33 days of repairs in order to accomplish this
task. Ukraine suffered a loss in electricity output as a result. Zaporizhzhya
had six malfunctions in 4/95 as compared with seven in 4/94; one was a
level one on the INES. [ITAR-TASS, 5/15/95; in "Spent Fuel Problem Closes Zaporozhiye
Nuclear Reactor," FBIS-SOV-95-094, 5/15/95.]
5/95: FICHTNER IS PROCUREMENT AGENT FOR ZAPORIZHZHYA PLANT Fichtner has been named the independent procurement agent
for the Zaporizhzhya plant. 10 million ECU worth of items will be procured
through this German company. ["EC Procures Procurer," Nuclear Engineering International,
5/95, p.51.]
4/22/95:STEAM WAS RELEASED AT UNIT 1 - BETWEEN
LEVELS 1 AND 3 ON INES Unit 1 suffered a release of radioactive steam while it was
shut down for safety testing; the large quantity of steam was released
as a result of incorrect operation of the valves that regulate the pressure
of the steam. The incident was preliminary classified as between levels
1 and 3 on the INES. [UNIAN, 4/22/95; in "Radioactive Steam Leaks at
Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant," FBIS-SOV-95-078, 4/22/95.]
4/95: KUCHMA ORDERS COMPLETION OF LARGEST NUCLEAR POWER
STATION IN EUROPE President Leonid Kuchma has ordered the Ministry of Finance
to make funds available to finish Unit 6 at Zaporizhzhya this year. This
will make it the largest nuclear power station (reported here to be 5700
MW, elsewhere reported as 6000 MW) in Europe. This is the only power reactor
under construction which had its funding assured by order of the president. ["Ukraine decrees Cash to open Nuclear Power Plant,"
ENS NucNet, 4/95.]
3/2/95: UKRAINE WILL COMPLETE UNIT 6 IN A YEAR WITHOUT
WESTERN FINANCIAL AID A senior Ukrainian official stated that Ukraine would complete
Unit 6 without Western financial assistance by the end of 1995. Last year,
the Ukrainian government pledged to allocate 1 trillion karbovanets for
Unit 6, but as of 2/95 Derzhkomatom had not received any funds. Ukraine
may raise electricity prices in an effort to procure funds for plant safety
improvements. Sources: [1] Ann MacLachlan, "Fuks Says Ukraine Will Finish Zaporozhe-6
Without Western Help," 3/2/95, pp. 12-13. [2] Post-Soviet Nuclear & Defense Monitor, 3/31/95,
p. 10. [3] Nucleonics Week, 3/16/95, p. 16.
2/13/95: LACK OF FUNDING FOR UNIT 6 According to Mikhailo Umanets, Unit 6 will not be made operational
until the second quarter of 1995 due to a lack of funding. ["Ukraine Wants to Build Nuclear Fuel Plant," Reuters,
2/13/95.]
2/6/95:UNIT 3'S CAPACITY WAS DECREASED-
0 ON INES On 2/5 Unit 3's capacity was decreased by half due to a failure
in the auxiliary systems caused by a lack of lubricating oil in the circulation
pumps. This incident rated a zero on the INES. Unit 1 resumed operation
on 2/6 after having been shut down on 2/3 for planned tests. [UNIAN, 2/6/95; in "Malfunction at Nuclear Plant
Reduces Capacity," FBIS-SOV-95-025, 2/6/95.]
1/14/95: EC WILL PROVIDE $5 MILLION EC experts inspected this plant in an effort to determine
the status of Unit 6, to set a timetable for its connection to the power
grid, and to determine the cost of the energy generator and how much the
EC would be willing to provide to Ukraine. It was estimated that the EC
could provide $5 million. [Ukrayinske Radio First Program Network, 1/14/95;
in "EC Provides Aid Toward Reactor Completion," FBIS-SOV-95-010, 1/14/95.]
1/13/95:ALL UNITS ARE OPERATING AT NOMINAL CAPACITY All units at Zaporizhzhya are operating at nominal capacity
after repairs and a partial reloading of fuel at Unit 2. ["All of the Zaporizhzhya Atomic Electric Power Plant
Power Units Function," Holos Ukrainy, 1/13/95; in "Zaporizhzhya Plant Measures
'Nominal Capacity'," FBIS-SOV-95-010, 1/13/95.]
1/12/95: ZAPORIZHZHYA WILL RECEIVE $2 MILLION WORTH OF
EQUIPMENT Zaporizhzhya has been granted permission to begin trial operation.
Zaporizhzhya will receive $2 million worth of equipment from Tecnatom this
year. This is the first direct contract for western equipment for a Ukrainian
NPP. ["Tecnatom Gets Contract To Supply Equipment to Ukrainian
Plant," Nucleonics Week, 1/12/95, pp. 5-6.]
1/3/95:UNIT 6 COMMISSIONING APPROVED The Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution that allows
Unit 6 at Zaporizhzhya to be commissioned. Sources: [1] UNIAN (Kiev), 1/3/95; in "Ministers Approve Nuclear
Power Facility," FBIS-SOV-95-002, 1/3/95. [2] "Green-light for Europe's Biggest N-Plant," NucNet News, No. 18, 1/10/95.
1/95: ZAPORIZHZHYA WILL BEGIN TRIAL OPERATION Zaporizhzhya has been granted permission to begin trial operation
for the first three months of 1995. Full commercial operation should begin
later this year. Once all six units are in operation, Zaporizhzhya will
be the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. [Uranium Institute News Briefing 95/2, 1/6-11/95,
p. 1.]
11/30/94: UNIT 2 TO BE RESTARTED Unit 2 is to be restarted on 12/12/94. ["East Europe N-Plants Revving Up for Winter," NucNet,
No. 571, 11/30/94.]
11/11-17/94: SAFETY MEASURES BEGAN IN ZAPORIZHZHYA Safety measures such as refinement of NPP management, quality
assurance, diagnostics of equipment and design, fire protection, provision
of spare parts, localization barriers, and prevention of beyond design-based
accidents, have begun at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. [Nikolai Steinberg, "Nuclear Safety And Nuclear Regulatory Process In Ukraine.
Status And Problems," paper presented at the 1994 annual American
Nuclear Society Meeting in Washington DC, 11/11-17/94.]
10/26/94:UNIT 1 WILL RESTART IN SIX DAYS Unit 1 was shut down to fix the steam generator's feedwater
pipe. The unit should be restarted in six days. [ITAR-TASS, 10/26/94; in "Nuclear Plant
Closed in 'Level Zero' Event," FBIS-SOV-94-208, 10/26/94.]
10/10/94: UNITS 2 AND 5 HAVE NO RESERVE FUEL Units 2 and 5 do not have any reserve fuel due to Ukraine's
shortage of funds with which to buy nuclear fuel from Russia. Ten fuel
reloads were required for the first six months of 1994, but only two were
actually delivered. The Trilateral Statement of 1/14/94 stipulated that
Ukraine receive 430 fuel assemblies; thus far, only 180 have been received.
The 250 additional assemblies should be delivered by the end of the year,
but Ukraine needs 550 fuel assemblies for the VVERs and 800 for the RBMKs. ["Financial Crunch Puts Ukraine on Verge of Running Out
of Fuel," NuclearFuel, 10/10/94, pp. 18-19.]
9/21/94:ZAPORIZHZHYA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT: SIX
ACCIDENTS AND DECREASED PRODUCTION: INES 0 According to the State Committee for the Use of Atomic Energy,
six "episodes" occurred at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in 8/93
but they all rated zero on the INES. In addition, the Committee reported
that there was a decrease in electricity production at the plant due to
a problem with the temperature in the plant's cooling pond, which was attributed
to the heat-wave that month. After examining the station's control and
reactor protection systems during the Committee's review for 8/93, it was
necessary to perform unscheduled repairs on one of the units. Because of
these unforeseen problems, the plant produced less than half the electricity
expected for the month.
["Six 'Episodes' at Zaporizhzhya AES in August," FBIS-SOV-94-185,
p. 46.]
9/7/94:REACTOR WAS SHUT DOWN: INES 0 A reactor was shut down temporarily due to a faulty steam
generator, which hampered repair work at the reactor's operating unit.
The State Committee for the Use of Atomic Energy said the incident rated
a zero on the INES.
["Rivne, Zaporizhzhya AES Accidents Pose No Threat," FBIS-SOV-94-175,
p. 50.]
6/26/94: SIXTH UNIT: TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD? A referendum, corresponding with Presidential elections,
was held on whether or not to build a sixth unit at the station. The referendum
was voted down; 61 percent were opposed and 31 percent were in favor. In
the city of Nikopol, the largest urban area situated within the 30 km safety
region of the plant, 96 percent voted against building the new unit. In
the town of Marganets, located 6 km from the plant, 90 percent of the residents
polled about the vote said they disagreed with the new construction until
a law on the status of residents within 30 km of nuclear power plants was
adopted. Polls conducted in towns in the Dnepropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhya
oblasts also showed that residents were opposed to the new construction.
Sources: [1] UNIAN, 7/25/94; in "Plebiscite Indicates 90 Percent Oppose
Building New Unit At Zaporizhzhya," JPRS-TEN-94-020, 8/18/94, p. 50. [2] "Populism Is The Nuclear Industry's Enemy," Vestnik Chornobylya,
No. 46 (565), 7/94. [3] Personal correspondence with Prof. David Marples, University
of Alberta, 12/4/94.
5/21/93: ACCIDENT AT ZAPORIZHZHYA KILLS ONE WORKER A fire at Unit 5 killed one worker and severely burned a
second. The preliminary findings of the state commission of inquiry indicate
"gross violations of safety rules both on the part of the works managers
and the accident victims." There was, however, no radiation leakage. The
fire reportedly occurred when a maintenance worker's welding torch came
in contact with leaking hydrogen; plant officials stated that the welder
"opened the wrong valve." Unit 5 was down for refueling at the time of
the accident. Zaporizhzhya was the first power plant to be licensed by
Ukrainian authorities after Ukrainian independence.
Sources: [1] Nuclear News, 7/93, p. 48. [2] Ann MacLachlan, "Explosion at Zaporozhe Generator Kills
One Worker, Injures Another," Nucleonics Week, 5/27/93, Vol. 34, No. 21,
p. 3. [3] Pravda Ukrainy, 2/3/93, p. 2.
Last updated 5 October 2000 This file is no longer being updated. For information on
developments in the nuclear power industry, please see the
Ukraine: General Nuclear
Power Developments section.
This file is no longer being updated. For information on
developments in the nuclear power industry, please see the
