On December 25, 2025, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine extended the operating license of Unit 2 at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant for another ten years — until December 2035.
The updated license was officially handed over by the Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, Oleh Korikov, to Pavlo Kovtoniuk, the acting chairman of the board of Energoatom. Following a comprehensive state nuclear and radiation safety assessment, the Inspectorate’s board confirmed that the unit can be operated safely.
“This decision is a key part of Energoatom’s long-term strategy for maintaining and developing nuclear generation in Ukraine. Once again, Ukrainian nuclear workers have demonstrated their ability to meet the highest safety standards. The result was made possible by the coordinated work of the plant’s team and Energoatom’s experts who ensured all necessary measures were taken,” said the head of Energoatom.
Oleh Korikov emphasized that the Licensing Commission confirmed Energoatom’s capability to safely operate Unit 2 for another decade. This decision also considered the results of public hearings and the board’s meeting, which validated the possibility of safe operation until December 31, 2035 — the deadline for the next scheduled safety reassessment.
Vyacheslav Stoyanov, General Director of the South Ukraine NPP, noted that experience gained in earlier operations helped the team avoid prolonged downtime during the licensing process. This ensured uninterrupted electricity production, which is particularly important under the current energy circumstances in the country.
Additional note:
In November 2023, Energoatom also received a license extension for Unit 1 of the same plant, allowing for a total operating life of 50 years. For the first time, this procedure was carried out according to international standards without the usual 200–250 day shutdown.