South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear power plant in Yuzhnoukrainsk, Ukraine.
South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant is a facility in Yuzhnoukrainsk in Mykolaiv Oblast, consisting of three pressurized water reactors and serving as a major source of electricity for the country. The reactor units stand on the shore of an artificial cooling water reservoir, surrounded by a system of cooling ponds and supplementary water installations that ensure continued operation.
Construction began in 1976 as part of a Soviet program to expand nuclear energy in Ukraine. The first unit entered service in 1982, followed by additional blocks in 1985 and 1989.
The plant carries a name that reflects its location in the southern part of Ukraine and underscores its role in regional energy supply. Residents in Yuzhnoukrainsk live in a city built specifically for workers and their families, with a way of life closely tied to the operation of the reactors.
The facility is located within a secured perimeter and is not open to the public, but can be seen from certain points outside the fence. Visitors should note that photography and approaching the security boundary are generally not permitted.
The plant is linked to the Tashlyk pumped storage station, which uses excess nuclear power at night to pump water into an elevated basin and recovers energy during the day when demand increases. This combination allows for more flexible electricity production and helps balance fluctuations in the grid.
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