The meeting took place at the RNPP site on August 21. The French diplomats visited the turbine hall of Units 1, 2 and the block control panel, and discussed with the plant management the current needs and potential areas of cooperation with French companies.
During the meeting, Acting Director General of the RNPP, Viktor Kravets, started with gratitude to the French side for many years of productive cooperation.
“Despite the difficult circumstances of the war, the cooperation of the Rivne NPP with French companies has continued uninterrupted. The tangible support from the first days of the invasion became an important signal of partnership and trust for us. I express our appreciation to you, ambassadors of France, for this solidarity. We remain indomitable and strong to achieve the Victory,” Viktor Kravets emphasized.
The plant head also recalled that since 2019, NNEGC “Energoatom” has been cooperating with the Paris Center of the World Association of Nuclear Power Plant Operators (WANO) in the field of peer reviews, and Energoatom’s full affiliation with the Paris Center took place after the full-scale invasion, on March 15, 2022.
“Regular contacts with the WANO Paris Center are especially important for us, because it coordinates the work of European nuclear power plants. We gain valuable experience from our partners, have the opportunity to implement best global practices and, at the same time, share our own developments. Such cooperation enhances the reliability and safety of the RNPP operation, and also contributes to the integration of Ukraine into the European energy community,” Viktor Kravets stressed.
In his turn, Economic Department Head of the French Embassy in Ukraine, Pierre Offret, laid emphasize on the importance of the development of Ukrainian nuclear industry.
"We know how hard were russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure. Here we saw a stably operating plant that produces a significant share of the country’s electricity. I appreciate the resilience and professionalism of Ukrainian people and the RNPP staff. Nuclear industry is a key source of electricity in Ukraine. I consider it a strategic task to support its development, especially given the significant damage to thermal and hydroelectric power plants. When we talk about the reliable NPP operation, we mean not only nuclear safety, but also increasing the equipment efficiency. This is important not only now, during the war, but also with a view to the future. Therefore, by supporting Ukraine today, we understand that at the same time we are strengthening our joint European future in the field of energy independence,” Pierre Offret is convinced.
The parties agreed to further develop cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and maintain a constant dialogue in order to strengthen jointly the energy security of Ukraine and Europe.
