The Public JSC National nuclear energy generating company "Energoatom" () is the public enterprise operating all four nuclear power plants in Ukraine (Zaporizhzhia, Rivne, South Ukraine, and Khmelnytskyi). It is the largest producer of electricity in Ukraine.
Overview State Enterprise "National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom" was founded in October 1996. The company operates four nuclear power plants in Ukraine consisting of 15 units (13 VVER-1000 units and 2 VVER-440 units) with a total installed capacity of 13,835 MW. The company also operates two hydroelectric units at the Oleksandrivska Hydroelectric Plant with the installed capacity of 25 MW and three hydroelectric units at the Tashlyk Pumped-Storage Power Plant with the installed capacity of 453 MW (the hydroelectric unit No. 3 was connected to the power system in 2022).
Ukraine ranks seventh in the world and second in Europe in terms of the number of nuclear reactors operated and total capacity. Energoatom provides about 55% of Ukraine's electricity needs.
The total number of employees as of the beginning of 2022 is 33,969 employees.
The organizational and legal form of Energoatom is a state enterprise.
The founder is the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The enterprise was set up in 1996 under the Ordinance of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On the establishment of the National Nuclear Energy Generating Company "Energoatom" dated 17.10.1996 No. 1268 on the basis of the property and infrastructures of nuclear power plants – Zaporizhzhya NPP, Rivne NPP, South Ukraine NPP, Khmelnytskyi NPP and Chornobyl NPP. In 2001, the Chornobyl NPP was withdrawn from the SE NNEGC "Energoatom".
In 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, by the Decree No. 50-r dated 20 January, took over the functions of managing the unified property complex of the SE NNEGC "Energoatom".
The main types of economic activity are set out in detail in the Charter of Energoatom, in particular: The enterprise was established with the purpose of producing electric energy, ensuring safe operation and increasing the efficiency of nuclear power plants, safety during construction, commissioning and decommissioning of nuclear installations, uninterrupted energy supply to business entities and the population, as well as within its competence to ensure permanent readiness of Ukraine for quick and effective actions in the event of accidents at nuclear power plants, radiation accidents in industry, compliance with the requirements of nuclear legislation, norms and rules on nuclear and radiation safety.
In accordance with the Ordinance of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 17 October 1996 No. 1268, the company is entrusted with the functions of an operating organization. The objectives of Energoatom are the safe production of electricity; increasing the safety level of operating NPP power units and extending their period of operation; construction of NPP power units and their decommissioning; purchase of fresh nuclear fuel and removal of spent fuel; creation of a national infrastructure for handling irradiated nuclear fuel; physical protection of nuclear installations and nuclear materials; staff training and advanced training of personnel; solving social issues of employees, etc.
Energoatom is included in the list of enterprises of strategic importance for the economy and security of the state (the Ordinance of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 3 April 2015 No. 83 "On approval of the list of state-owned objects of strategic importance for the economy and security of the state").
Energoatom belongs to the economic entities that own and use high-risk facilities (in accordance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine "On High-Risk Facilities" dated 18 January 2001 No. 2245-ІІІ).
The NPPs of Energoatom belong to the city-forming enterprises. In the cities of Energodar, Varash, Pivdennoukrainsk, Netishyn the number of NPP employees (including their family members) is more than half of the population of the administrative-territorial unit in which the nuclear power plant is located.
Energoatom is a member of international organizations: WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators), WNA (World Nuclear Association), EUR (European Utility Requirements), IFNEC (International Forum for Cooperation in the Field of Nuclear Energy), European Clean Hydrogen Alliance. On 31 March 2022, the Board of Governors of the WANO at its meeting supported the application of Energoatom and made a decision regarding the transfer of the company, together with all its plants and nuclear power units, to the Paris Center of the WANO.
Recent history In 2011 Energoatom began a project to bring safety into line with international standards at an estimated cost of $1.8 billion, with a target completion date of 2017. In 2015 the completion date was put back to 2020, due to financing delays.
In 2015 some government agencies made corruption allegations against Energoatom, with concerns raised by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. In March 2016, Energoatom's assets and bank accounts were frozen by Ukrainian courts over allegedly unpaid debts; Energoatom appealed the decision, but the frozen finances led to contractual breaches. In June 2016 its bank accounts were unfrozen.
In July 2019, a new wholesale energy market for Ukraine was launched, intended to bring real competition to the generation market and help future integration with Europe. The change was a prerequisite for receiving European Union assistance. It led to increased prices for industrial consumers of between 14% to 28% during July. The bulk of Energoatom output was sold to the government's "guaranteed buyer" to keep prices more stable for domestic customers.
On 27 November 2019, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk announced the dismissal of Energoatom CEO Yuriy Nedashkovskyi. The Ministry of Energy website later stated the dismissal was "for reasons including inefficient management, suspicion of embezzlement of state funds and mismanagement of procurement." Energoatom subsequently issued a press release rebutting these charges.
On 4 December 2019, Ukraine's government appointed Pavlo Pavlyshyn as acting head of Energoatom. During January 2020 Energoatom discussed eight legislative bills with Ostap Shypaylo, chairman of the Ukrainian parliament subcommittee on nuclear energy and safety, aimed at meeting international obligations and standards, and the financial stabilisation of Energoatom. In and after January 2020 three long-standing vice presidents were replaced. On 6 May 2020 the Ukrainian Cabinet appointed Herman Galushchenko, a lawyer, vice-president for long-term development and Hartmut Jakob, a financier and energy sector specialist, as vice-president of the financial and economic department. This followed months of disputes as to whether the posts should go to nuclear specialists from inside Energoatom or not, during a difficult financial period for the company.
In early 2020 mounting debts caused Energoatom to adjust its new fuel delivery schedule. No purchases of Westinghouse nuclear fuel were made in the first quarter. Energoatom had fuel stocks for a year of refuelling. The difficult financial condition was caused by late payments by the 'Guaranteed Buyer' under the new wholesale market regulations. Energoatom wanted to be allowed to increase bilateral contract sales from 5% to 50% of generation.
On 20 January 2021, Ukraine's government decided to transfer management from the Energy Ministry to direct government control. This was on the instructions of the President Zelenskyy, to improve the management of Energoatom. This would also part satisfy the conditions of the European Union Third Energy Package to separate transmission system operators, producers and suppliers to end users of electricity. On 24 February 2022, the Ukrainian electricity grid disconnected from the post-Soviet IPS/UPS grid, ahead of synchronising with the synchronous grid of Continental Europe.
On 22 June 2024, Ukraine's government appointed the supervisory board of Energoatom. It consists of 5 members, three of whom are independent, and two are state representatives. The selected members include Timothy John Sohn, Michael Elliot Crist, Jarek Neverovich, Vitalii Petruk, and Tymofii Mylovanov. On 21 August 2025, the supervisory board dismissed Energoatom's CEO, Petro Kotin, without explanation.
On 10 November 2025, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) announced a large investigation into the energy sector, alleging a kickback scheme involving Energoatom existed with a $100 million rake-off. It alleged a government adviser and the Energoatom security director had taken control of company purchasing and forced contractors to pay a 10–15% corrupt fee to avoid contracts being blocked. NABU had gathered 1,000 hours of telephone and audio recordings as evidence over the previous 15 months, and started searching Energoatom offices. Following this announcement, Energoatom supervisory board was dismissed, and Justice Minister German Galushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk resigned after President Zelenskyy called for them to step down.
The separated subdivisions of Energoatom
Zaporizhzhia NPP. Rivne NPP. Pivdennoukrainsk NPP. Khmelnytskyi NPP. SS "Atomremontservice". SS "Atomenergomash'. SS "Centralized purchasing". SS "Atomprojectengineering". SS "Emergency Technical Center". SS "Scientific&Technical Center". SS "Warehouse". SS "DO "Atomprylad". SS "Automation&Mechanical Engineering". SS "Energoatom-Trading". SS "Administrative Department". SS "Donuzlavska WPP" (located in the temporarily occupied territory).
Nuclear power stations
Zaporizhzhya NPP
Start of construction – 1979. The commissioning of the first power unit – 1984. 6 VVER-1000 units with a total installed capacity of 6000 MW. Satellite city – Energodar, Zaporizhzhia region.
The largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine and Europe. It is located near the steppe zone on the shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir. Over the years of its existence, it has produced more than 1.1 trillion kWh of electricity. It has its own dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel (Dry SFSF).
Rivne NPP
Start of construction – 1973. The commissioning of the first power unit – 1980. 2 VVER-440 units та 2 VVER-1000 units with a total installed capacity of 2835 MW. Satellite city – Varash, Rivne region.
The first nuclear power plant in Ukraine with power water-cooled reactors of the VVER type. The annual production of electricity is about 20 billion kWh. The RNPP operates an automated radiation monitoring system (ARMS) equipped with seismic monitoring systems and RODOS (Real Time Online Decision Support) decision support system. This energy complex is notable in Ukraine for the accuracy of its operating parameters and technical characteristics.
Khmelnytskyi NPP
Start of construction – 1981. The commissioning of the first power unit – 1987. 2 VVER-1000 units with a total installed capacity of 2000 MW. Satellite city – Netishyn, Khmelnytskyi region.
The most promising Ukrainian nuclear power plant in terms of realizing Ukraine's export potential on the European energy market. It is located near the central part of Western Ukraine, on the border of three regions - Khmelnytskyi, Rivne and Ternopil. The power plant generates almost 15 billion kWh of electricity per year.
South Ukrainian Energy Complex
South Ukraine NPP
Start of construction – 1975. The commissioning of the first power unit – 1982. 3 VVER-1000 units with a total installed capacity of 3000 MW. Satellite city – Pivdennoukrainsk, Mykolaiv region.
Oleksandrivka Hydroelectric Plant 2 hydroelectric units with the installed capacity of 25 MW
Tashlyk Pumped-Storage Power Plant 3 hydroelectric units with the installed capacity of 453 MW