Zelensky orders parliamentary debate on nuclear sector

Vladimir Bronnikov, a former director of the Zaporozhe nuclear power plant, said Decree No. 406 of 22 September 2020 was "absolutely constitutional, legitimate and legal" and an indication that the head of state "has reliable information” about the challenges facing the Ukrainian nuclear industry and "seeks to resolve existing problems as defined by law".

Energoatom said that, in particular, the decree orders the government to submit to parliament "bills that have existed for a long time on paper only".

The decree is titled On urgent measures to stabilise the situation in the energy sector and further development of nuclear energy In order to ensure the sustainable functioning of nuclear energy, overcoming the crisis with the calculations for the released electricity, as well as the further development of nuclear energy in Ukraine.

It orders the Cabinet of Ministers to submit bills to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration within two months on the location, design and construction of power units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant; and on amendments to some laws to improve the mechanism of using the financial reserve for the decommissioning of nuclear units.

It also requires the development of a long-term programme for nuclear energy as part of the Energy Strategy of Ukraine for the period up to 2035, and acceleration of the preparation and corporatisation of Energoatom.

Finally, it orders "comprehensive measures" to address debts that electricity producers have accrued "as a result of their performance of special duties as electricity market participants to ensure public interest in the functioning of the electricity market", and to prevent repetition of this situation.

The decree entered into force on the day of its publication.