ARCHIVED: Zombie reactors in Ukraine
March 7, 2012
While the European Union is trying to help Ukraine’s political transition, Europe’s financial support is cementing the country’s dependence on an outdated and highly unsafe nuclear sector. To avoid further instability and political and environmental risks, European institutions need to offer better oversight and funding for alternative energy sources.
Letter to European Commission: Insufficient environmental assessment of Ukraine NPP Safety Upgrade Programme
January 20, 2012
The letter criticises the environmental assessment of the Nuclear power plants safety upgrade programme (SUP) in Ukraine. It concludes that the assessment insufficient and does not fully elaborate the objectives and consequences of the SUP.
The Ukrainian nuclear power plant safety upgrade project and the EBRD’s contribution to extending outdated Soviet reactors
January 15, 2012
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Euroatom plan to support the nuclear power plant safety upgrade project in Ukraine. The EU presents the project as a timely initiative to improve nuclear safety in the region. A closer inspection however shows that it in fact can increase nuclear risks, in that the project includes a significant number of measures necessary to extend the lifetime of the reactors.
Letter to EBRD: Insufficient environmental assessment of Ukraine NPP Safety Upgrade Programme
December 15, 2011
The letter criticises the environmental assessment of the Nuclear power plants safety upgrade programme (SUP) in Ukraine. It concludes that the assessment insufficient and does not fully elaborate the objectives and consequences of the SUP.
Greenwashing nuclear expansion in Ukraine, with EU support
September 13, 2011
Upgrades of hydro power plants in Ukraine are a prime example for greenwashing nuclear expansion with renewable energy. Alena Miskun from Bankwatch member group National Environmental Centre of Ukraine gives details on the thickening plot that European public banks are involved in.
Energoatom director confirms EBRD money will support nuclear lifespan expansion
July 22, 2011
The “Ukrainian NPP Safety Upgrade Package Program” currently under consideration for financing by the EBRD, will enable the lifespan expansion of old Soviet-time nuclear reactors, confirmed Gennady Sazonov, project and investment director of the production company Atomproektinzhynirynh, speaking during the first public consultations on the draft ecological assessment of the programme that was held in Kiev early this week.
EU verhindert Atomausstieg in der Ukraine Atomstrom für Europa
July 5, 2011
Die EU finanziert Hochspannungsleitungen in der Ukraine – und verhindert dort den Ausstieg aus der Atomenergie. Auch gelangt so billiger Atomstrom aus der Ukraine in die EU.
EU finances scrap reactors
June 29, 2011
http://www.wdr.de/themen/global/webmedia/webtv/getwebtv.phtml?ref=25191
Are safety upgrades and lifetime extensions synonyms in the Ukrainian nuclear sector?
May 15, 2011
In November 2010 the EBRD, together with the European Union, announced its involvement in the EUR 1.2 billion Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) safety upgrade project for Ukraine. While safety upgrades at first appear a positive initiative, this project makes sense only in the context of NPP lifetime extensions, otherwise there is no reason to finance costly upgrades for facilities that will anyway close in a couple of years. And though the project promoter clearly links these safety upgrades with lifetime extensions, the EBRD is reticent to do so.
If fences make good neighbours, what about nuclear energy? How Ukraine’s nuclear future ties into Europe’s energy security strategy
April 26, 2011
In 2010 Ukraine joined the European Energy Community to integrate into the European electricity and gas markets. The Ukrainian government is looking to the EU and international financial institutions to sponsor a warily nuclear-intensive, export-oriented energy program.
