Ukrainian govt approves location of fuel assembly production facility for NPPs in Nikolayev region

MOSCOW. March 31 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government has agreed to the Energy Ministry's proposal to locate a facility for the production of fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors in the Yuzhnoukrainsk urban territorial community of the Voznesensky district of the Nikolayev region.

The government's decision is enshrined in the decree of March 25, 2026, regarding the location, design, and construction of a nuclear facility for the production of fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors of nuclear power plants, Ukrainian media reported.

"Recommend that JSC Energoatom, the operating organization (operator) of the nuclear facility for the production of fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors at the NPP, ensure the execution of work on its design and construction," the media quoted the document as saying.

Energoatom explained that specialists from the U.S-based company Westinghouse previously assessed and potentially qualified Energoatom's fuel assembly production lines. Furthermore, an environmental impact analysis was conducted and a feasibility study was developed.

Energoatom added that the next step will be design development and a comprehensive state assessment.

Energoatom currently operates nine power units at the South Ukrainian, Rovno, and Khmelnitsky NPPs, with a total capacity of 7,880 MW, located in Kiev-controlled territory.