Russia’s taking of Ukraine nuclear plant a hit to clean energy future

Holtec is a private US nuclear power firm that stated that Russia’s occupation at Zaporizhzhia was a grave threat.

The plant, Europe’s biggest, was taken over by Russia shortly after the invasion in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The war caused extensive damage to the plant, as well as power lines and raised fears of a nuclear catastrophe. Both Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the bombardment.

Kris Singh, Holtec International’s chief executive stated in an open mail published Thursday that Russia’s military occupation of the plant should be considered a grave threat to clean energy for the future.

Singh claimed that the organization had “normalized a completely new and horrendous weapon for war.”

Biden administration supporters of nuclear power claim that it is vital to combat climate change as it produces almost no emissions. Nuclear power is criticized by critics because it is expensive and takes too long to build new plants. Some people agree that nuclear reactors need to be maintained if they’re safe.

Holtec, a Ukrainian company involved in spent nuclear fuel storage is interested to build next-generation small modular reactors.

Russia’s war against Ukraine and its taking Zaporizhzhia could be costly for its international nuclear business. A Finnish-led consortium cancelled a contract by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom to build a Finnish nuclear plant. It also cited increased risks and delays caused by the conflict in Ukraine.

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The Hanhikivi 1 project would have made Finland even more dependent upon Russia for its energy.

Singh urged the International Atomic Energy Agency, UN’s nuclear watchdog, to press its member states for a consensus that would make attempts to disrupt peaceful nuclear energy generation “punishable” with expulsion of aggressors.

The IAEA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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