Rolls-Royce in talks to build mini-nuclear plants in Ukraine

Rolls-Royce is currently engaged in discussions with Ukraine's largest private power company, DTEK, regarding the construction of a series of mini nuclear power plants within the country.

DTEK, a part of billionaire Rinat Akhmetov's industrial group, has initiated preliminary talks with Rolls about the potential development of small modular reactors (SMRs) at existing coal power station sites, according to information obtained by the Telegraph.

This development aligns with Ukraine's efforts to transition towards less centralized and more renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar farms. This shift is particularly crucial as Russia has conducted targeted bombing campaigns to disrupt grid infrastructure during harsh winter months.

DTEK currently supplies a significant portion of Ukraine's electricity, primarily through coal plants, but its infrastructure has faced substantial challenges from Russian forces since the conflict erupted in February 2022.

Rolls and DTEK are exploring the possibility of converting up to eight existing coal power station sites, including two in territories occupied by Russia, to accommodate SMRs by the 2030s.

Maxim Timchenko, DTEK's chief executive, envisions nuclear power playing a vital role in the company's future portfolio as Ukraine undergoes reconstruction and transitions away from fossil fuels.

Timchenko stated in an interview with The Telegraph, that the company was "trying to find a way to install these SMRs. [...] From our side, we have quite a big capacity of coal-fired power stations and we are in discussions with Rolls-Royce SMR to convert [them]".

Despite challenges to its existing infrastructure, DTEK has taken steps toward renewable energy, inaugurating the Tyligulska wind farm in southern Ukraine in May. The company, operating under wartime constraints, assembled the wind farm in just nine months. Additionally, plans have been announced to quadruple the site's capacity.

Ukraine already ranks among the world's largest users of nuclear power, with the state owning four plants that contributed to over half of the country's power before Russia's military invasion, ordered by Vladimir Putin.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, one of these sites, now sits in occupied territory, serving as a contentious flashpoint between Ukraine and Russia, with accusations of reckless shelling that poses a nuclear disaster risk.

As Rolls-Royce seeks firm orders, its chief executive, Tufan Erginbilgiç, met with Czech ministers last week to initiate negotiations for another SMR deal.