German Galushchenko and Head of EU Delegation to IAEA discuss the need for additional protection of key NPP substations

On the sidelines of the 68th IAEA General Conference, Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko met with the EU delegation headed by Massimo Garribba, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Energy.

The Energy Minister thanked the European Commission for its continued support of Ukraine in strengthening nuclear and radiation safety, which is of particular importance in the context of massive russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector.

The parties discussed the threats posed by hostile attacks on the facilities of the electricity transmission system, in particular substations critical for the operation of nuclear power plants. Particular attention was paid to measures and tools that would enhance the protection of such facilities.

“We rely on the effectiveness of the IAEA mission monitoring the situation, which has started work at the first of these substations. We need to consolidate the international community to the maximum extent possible to prevent not only direct attacks by russians on nuclear facilities, but also the infrastructure that ensures their stable operation,” said German Galushchenko.

The Head of the Ministry of Energy stressed that nuclear generation was the core of the Ukrainian energy mix and would play a leading role next winter. He also stressed the need to increase the capacity of electricity imports from the European Union to pass the next cold season.

The situation at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia NPP, occupied by russia, was discussed separately. Ukraine insists on the immediate withdrawal of russian troops and occupation personnel from the facility, its demilitarisation and transfer to the control of a legitimate Ukrainian operator.