Ukraine's Energoatom orders protection for nuclear power plants from Russian attacks after Zelenskyy's speech at UN

Energoatom, the Ukrainian state-owned nuclear power company, has only just signed an agreement worth UAH 509 million (roughly US$12.3 million) for the design and construction of a protective structure at the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) on 25 September 2024.

Source: Nashi Hroshi, a Ukrainian news outlet focused on finance, citing Prozorro, Ukraine's public state procurement system

Details: "That is, Zelenskyy had to announce at the UN that the power equipment near Ukrainian NPPs is unprotected and is about to become a target for Russian missiles in order to make nuclear engineers start designing second-level protection," the outlet says.

This refers to U-shaped reinforced concrete structures designed to shield large transformers from Shahed loitering munitions and shrapnel damage in the event of an indirect missile strike.

The outlet highlights that the effectiveness of these structures has already been proven at substations operated by Ukrenergo, Ukraine's electricity transmission system operator. Alongside the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, they began securing these substations last year, although progress has been slow. However, even partially completed structures are already providing protection against strikes.

Nashi Hroshi reports that the UAH 509 million contract for the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant is entirely classified, with no available details regarding the size or specifics of the protective structure being erected.

"Additionally, there has been a notable increase in activity from Ukrhydroenergo (Ukraine's largest hydropower generating company). In September, the company initiated procurement procedures for both the protection of undamaged hydroelectric power plants and the repair of those damaged, with a total contract value of UAH 1.11 billion [approximately US$26 billion]. Half of this sum – UAH 0.54 billion [about US$13 billion] – was allocated to a single contract with Ukrstal Konstruktsiia, a firm owned by former oligarch Vitalii Haiduk, previously a co-owner of the Industrial Union of Donbas. The contract details, including the cost of building materials, remain undisclosed on the Prozorro platform," the outlet said.

Background: On the night of 24-25 September, a Russian loitering munition was spotted flying at a critically low altitude near the industrial site of the Rivne NPP.

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