Kerne experts doubt the US plan for the reconciliation of Ukrainian power plants

Kerne experts doubt the US plan for the reconciliation of Ukrainian power plants

The Saporischschja nuclear power plant in Ukraine, which has been occupied by Russian armed forces since the first days of the war, could possibly be restored and protected by an American takeover-at least this indicates reports from the USA.

unwanted challenges and practical feasibility

Experts, however, disagree how such an operation could act in practice, especially since the power plant is in an area controlled by Russia. In ongoing talks about a partial ceasefire, US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Wolodymyr Selenskyj discussed on Wednesday about the power supply to Ukraine and the nuclear power plants in the country, as can be seen from an official report by the United States.

possession and control of the nuclear power plants

According to the report, Trump said: "The United States could be very helpful when operating these systems with their knowledge in the areas of electricity and supply management. American ownership of these systems would be the best protection for the infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." Selenskyj, however, rejected this section on Thursday and emphasized: "In terms of property, we definitely didn't discuss with President Trump about it." He made it clear that "all nuclear power plants belong to the (Ukrainian) state, including the temporarily occupied Saporischschja region."

Investments to restore the power plant

Selenskyj said the day before that Ukraine was ready to consider American investments in the restoration and modernization of Saporischschja. During a press conference after his conversation with Trump, Selenskyj said that they had only talked about the occupied power plant Saporischschja and not about the entire Ukrainian nuclear power plant network.

Security and challenges for operation and maintenance

"I believe that the power plant cannot be put into operation under the line-up. I believe that the power plant can be put back into operation," said Selenskyj, who added that this process could estimate an estimated two years or more. Before the large -scale raid in Russia in 2022, the Saporischschja power plant delivered about 20 % of Ukraine's energy and had six reactors, which made it the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The Ukrainian staff remains in the power plant under the Russian crew and was temporarily forced to work under "weapons use".

Current situation of nuclear power plants

The power plant has now been separated from the power grid, and the necessary electricity infrastructure in order to operate the power plant was damaged by drone attacks and regular fire measures. Russia also destroyed the nearby Staudamm Kachowka, which emptied the reservoir that provided water to cool the power plant. All six reactors are switched off and there are concerns about the ongoing maintenance of the power plant, while explosions continue to take place in the area, such as a team of un-nachor reported on site.

required framework conditions for safe operation

When asked how the United States could possibly operate a Ukrainian nuclear power plant, Energy Minister Chris Wright told Fox News that he did not believe that this would be necessary due to the necessary American troops. "We have immense technical expertise in the United States to operate these systems. I don't think the floor troops required," said Wright. "But I leave President Trump and Minister Rubio foreign policy. I know that they work tirelessly on how we can bring peace in Ukraine."

Feasibility and realizability of the idea

Nevertheless, experts doubt the feasibility of the idea brought into play by the Trump administration. In order to safely operate the power plant, a secure and constant power supply would be required to avoid a melting of reactor, as well as the restoration of sufficient water supply to cool the power plant. Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, emphasized: "The first thing that would be to be clarified is that there can be no attacks on the power plant or the supportive infrastructure, both electricity and water resources- and that should be waterproof."

responsibility and challenges in nuclear energy

"It makes no sense to try to rebuild and operate a power plant if it could be endangered at any time," added Lyman. "And the idea that US property has a greater deterrent effect on Russia than it is now if the Russians themselves control the power plant also makes no sense." The idea of a US company raises a whole series of logistical, technical and practical questions that are very unclear, including the question of the United States' liability for an accident in the facility. "Responsibility comes with property or the company."

technological discrepancy between the nuclear power plants

Nuclear energy experts have also emphasized that the USA does not operate nuclear power plants with the same technology class as Saporischschja, which is a Soviet "water-water energy reactor" (abbreviated as "Vver" in Russian). "These are different technologies," explained Elena Sokova, director of the Vienna Center for Disarmament and non -proliferation, and added that there are strict license requirements for the operators of the system.

long -term solutions and participation of Ukraine

"The USA is an advanced country ... but to be ready to take control of something that has a different construction, was designed by another country and where you have no experience in the company-I think this is not a good solution or sustainable option," says Sokova. Nevertheless, she added: "If we talk about a long process, I am sure that certain things could be clarified, especially if there is an agreement that the majority of the Ukrainian staff and the operator will operate these reactors."

The role of Ukraine in restoring the power plant

Selenskyj emphasized on Wednesday evening that the safe restoration of the power plant was in the interests of the entire world and Ukraine should play a role in it, "Because it is our country, this is our power plant." The Ukrainian president made it clear that a return of the power plant without control over the area in which it is in - the city of Enerhodar, which is located on the Russian side of the Saporischschja region - is not possible. "If you simply hand over the facility and everything is occupied right next to the system or to stand Russian weapons," Selenskyj told journalists and expressed concerns that the power plant could be restored with American and Ukrainian investments, just to fear that Russia may be damaged or destroyed later.

Current challenges at the Saporischschja power plant

While the fights on the front line are going on, the difficult situation at the Saporischschja power plant remains "unchanged", wrote Andrian Prokip, director of the energy program at the Ukrainian Institute for the Future. He added: "It still does not receive adequate maintenance and continues to serve as a Russian ammunition depot."

The reporting of this article was written by CNN, Svitlana Vlasova, Christian Edwards and DJ Judd.