Photo from UNIAN
NPPs cannot be used to balance the country's power grids.
Ukraine's acting Minister of Energy and Environmental Policy Olha Buslavets has said the operation of nuclear power plants' (NPP) units in Ukraine is regularly halted for repairs and other relevant measures.
"There are 15 operating nuclear units in Ukraine. In general, four or five units undergo repairs in winter. In summer, when seasonal [energy] consumption decreases, more units may be suspended. In general, this is normal when eight or 10 units operate in wintertime. This is standard practice. This is normal, as the units need to be repaired, refueled and so on," she told Inter TV channel on May 1.
NPPs cannot be used to balance the country's power grids, as it is extremely dangerous and very difficult technically, she said. A significant reduction in electricity consumption requires that the "balanceable" generation facilities be connected to the grids.
The system is usually balanced due to hydropower plants (HPPs). But their output has declined significantly this year due to lack of precipitation in winter and spring. So, the capacities of thermal power plants (TPPs) are now the best option for balancing the system.
Given this, state-run enterprise Energoatom, the operator of the Ukrainian-based NPPs, has supported the shutdowns of certain power units for repairs, which will ensure the safety of their further operation.