• Українською
  • German Galushchenko and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visit one of the substations critical for nuclear generation
    Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 04 February 2025 17:15

    Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko together with the IAEA delegation headed by Director General Rafael Grossi and accompanied by Acting CEO of NPC Ukrenergo Oleksii Brekht, Acting CEO of NNEGC Energoatom Petro Kotin and Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine Oleh Korikov visited one of the key facilities of the electricity transmission system, which is critical for ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power plants in Ukraine.

    The Agency’s observation missions continue to monitor the situation at key substations.

    “These substations are part of the chain of radiation and nuclear safety, which is why it is very important that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is here today in person, that there are IAEA missions that have already taken place several times and will continue to take place at these substations, that the level of discussion of this issue is at the highest level in the world, at IAEA meetings, it is very important that we continue to monitor these substations,” said German Galushchenko during the visit.

    He stressed that what the russians are doing by attacking these substations, which are critical for the operation of nuclear generation, is a real terror, and it is very important that the IAEA experts have access, see the destruction and give their assessment and official reports.

    ‘A nuclear power plant produces electricity, as we all know, but it also needs this electricity to ensure safe operation. When a power plant does not receive it, it jeopardises the safety of the power plant and can eventually lead to an accident. Last year, when I met with President Zelensky and the Minister, we agreed that we would start looking at this issue more systematically so that we at the IAEA could assess and provide our view on the situation, comparing it with other experiences around the world to give the best possible advice. In fact, we visited nine substations that are critical for the functioning and safe operation of nuclear power plants. And, of course, the situation is quite critical,” said Rafael Grossi during his visit to the site.

    For his part, Acting CEO of NPC Ukrenergo Oleksii Brekht said: “It is important for us that the facts of russian energy terrorism are properly recorded and documented. The world must see that the aggressor violates all norms of international law by regularly striking at the civilian energy infrastructure of Ukraine and threatening the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Today we have clearly demonstrated to the IAEA Director General the consequences of russian missile and drone attacks on our substations. We hope that this will help to finally stop the attacks on the Ukrainian power system.”