Zelenskyy commits to completing controversial Khmelnytskyi NPP expansion

Located in western Ukraine near the borders of Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and Ternopil oblasts, Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has long been a key part of the country’s energy infrastructure. Originally designed as a four-reactor facility, construction began in 1981, but only two reactors — commissioned in 1987 and 2004 — were ever completed. Both are VVER-1000 units (the water-water energetic reactors), generating a total of 2000 MW of electricity.

Now, Ukraine’s state energy company Energoatom is moving forward with an ambitious plan to finish the construction of two additional VVER-1000 reactors and install two new AP1000 reactors developed by the American company Westinghouse. If completed, the expansion will increase Khmelnytskyi NPP’s total capacity to over 6000 MW, making it the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine's commitment to fulfill this project, and stressed that this project will allow to not only avoid electricity imports in harsh winter periods but also provide cheaper electricity for citizens and industries.

"In total, we are preparing to launch four more reactors. The first stage includes two reactors, adding 2.2 GW, and later, the second stage will introduce two more reactors — American-designed units from Westinghouse, also adding 2.2 GW," he said.

"We are working with American partners to complete the plant, which will become our most powerful station."

Bulgaria’s involvement and European financing issues

In July 2023, Bulgaria’s parliament authorized the country’s energy minister to negotiate the sale of equipment initially intended for the canceled Belene NPP project to Ukraine.

In an official visit by President Zelenskyy to Bulgaria, the two countries signed a memorandum on energy cooperation. Ukraine later confirmed plans to purchase two nuclear reactors from Bulgaria for Khmelnytskyi NPP, expected to add around 2200 MW to Ukraine’s energy system.

In 2024, the European Commission acknowledged that a potential agreement for the sale of Russian-made reactors could be funded using EU financial aid allocated for Ukraine. However, in September 2024, Bulgaria extended negotiations on the sale.

Katarína Mathernová, the EU’s Ambassador to Ukraine, later said that the European Union will not finance the completion of the reactors, citing a lack of consultation with EU officials in the legislative process.

Political and financial controversy

The Ukrainian government approved the controversial bill in April 2024. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that the third unit of KhNPP could be completed within three years, explaining that construction will rely on credit financing.

However, several experts and officials criticized the project.

• MP Inna Sovsun, a member of Ukraine’s energy committee, described the proposal as unrealistic.
• Alexander Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Research Center, claimed the allocated funds will be wasted.
• Mykola Steinberg, former chief engineer of Chornobyl NPP and ex-deputy energy minister, dismissed the revival of the project as political posturing rather than a serious initiative.
• Lana Zerkal, former energy advisor and ambassador, called the project a "fairy tale."

Despite multiple attempts, Ukraine’s parliament repeatedly delayed voting on the bill. In July 2024, the parliamentary anti-corruption office identified corruption risks in the legislation.

However, on Feb. 4, 2025, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi endorsed Ukraine’s plan to complete the Khmelnytskyi NPP expansion.

On Feb. 5, 2025, Zelenskyy publicly backed the project, calling it Ukraine’s most significant energy infrastructure initiative.

On Feb. 13, 2025, Zelenskyy visited the Khmelnytskyi NPP and held an energy summit.