Work on installing solar panels to meet the needs of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant for its own electricity is nearing completion. According to the General Director of the State Enterprise “Chernobyl NPP” Serhiy Tarakanov, the solar modules with a capacity of 2 megawatts will be put into operation within a month.
This is reported by Finway
Energy Independence and Savings for Chernobyl NPP
The implementation of renewable energy will significantly reduce the plant’s costs for purchasing electricity. According to the director general, electricity is one of the largest expense items in the annual budget of Chernobyl NPP. Transitioning to its own generation will be an important step towards the energy independence of the enterprise.
“The 2 megawatt solar panels are almost installed. In a month, we will start operating the station. This will help reduce our electricity payments, which constitute a significant percentage of our annual budget,” says Tarakanov.
So far, there are no plans for Chernobyl NPP to enter the general electricity market. However, Serhiy Tarakanov does not rule out that such plans may emerge in the future.
Prospects for the Development of Chernobyl NPP and the Exclusion Zone
The head of the plant emphasized that the main task remains the decommissioning of the Chernobyl NPP power units, as well as transforming the “Shelter” object into an environmentally safe system. In the future, Serhiy Tarakanov envisions the Exclusion Zone in a new role – as a space for the development of innovative projects, particularly in the field of green energy.
In his assessment, the territory has enough space for new capacities, including “green generation” and even large nuclear power units. An additional advantage is the extensive energy network, the availability of water resources, and the simplified procedure for obtaining permits, as there are no public hearings in the Exclusion Zone.
At the same time, Serhiy Tarakanov is critical of the idea of placing small modular reactors at Chernobyl NPP, emphasizing the need to use only proven and reliable technologies. According to him, it is more appropriate to build large reactors with a high level of safety, considering the experience of the 1986 accident.