Khmelnytskyi NPP expansion to begin after ceasefire — Westinghouse

Lipman made the statement in an interview with Ukrainian news agency Interfax-Ukraine.

Westinghouse is coordinating the project, since the company’s AP-1000 reactors will be used for the expansion.

“Unfortunately, there is no progress in actually building KhNPP’s fifth and sixth reactors, due to the ongoing war,” said Lipman.

“But I can assure you that as soon as the war ends, we will begin construction, and I will be the first Westinghouse representative on the ground.”

Construction of the new units requires extensive preparation, he added. Westinghouse is working with the Ukrainian state nuclear operator Energoatom to identify initial steps that will allow the project to advance smoothly once conditions permit.

The company is also working closely with the U.S. Export-Import Bank to secure financing for the upcoming phases. Lipman noted that the U.S. government, from the White House to the departments of Energy and Commerce, is actively supporting the effort.

“As president of Energy Systems [at Westinghouse Electric], I work almost daily with U.S. officials,” said Lipman.

“Each of them knows in detail about our relationship with Ukraine and Energoatom, and each supports future exports of AP-1000 technology to Ukraine once the war is over.”

Energoatom and Westinghouse have struck a deal to build nine new AP-1000 reactors in Ukraine. In April 2024, work began on infrastructure for the first new reactor at the Khmelnytskyi NPP.