Norway allocates NOK 500 million to strengthen nuclear safety in Ukraine

'Ukraine is facing an extremely serious situation. Russia's targeted attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue and are putting nuclear safety under severe pressure. We are therefore significantly scaling up Norwegian support. A nuclear incident could very quickly have major consequences. By strengthening nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, we are strengthening Europe's security - and therefore also Norway's security,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Efforts to enhance nuclear safety and security in Ukraine are an integral part of the Nansen Programme, the Government's support programme for Ukraine. In 2026, Norway will contribute NOK 4.8 billion to energy security. Of this amount, NOK 500 million will be allocated to strengthening nuclear safety. This represents a significant increase compared with 2025. Through the Nansen Programme, Norway is one of the largest contributors to nuclear safety in Ukraine. The funds are administered by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA).

'The situation in Ukraine is extremely serious when it comes to nuclear safety and security. Nuclear power plants depend on external electricity supplies to cool the fuel, and loss of external power increases the risk of nuclear incidents. Attacks on transformer substations now constitute the greatest threat to nuclear safety in Ukraine, second only to direct attacks on nuclear power plants,' said Per Strand, Director General of the DSA.

Nuclear power plants are the largest source of electricity generation in Ukraine.

'In addition to reducing the risk of nuclear accidents, Norwegian support helps ensure that nuclear power plants can continue to produce critically needed electricity for the Ukrainian population.

Furthermore, the support enables nuclear power plants to resume electricity production more quickly and safely following emergency shutdowns and reduced capacity caused by instability in the power grid.'

Norway continues to support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its vital efforts in strengthening nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. The Agency provides essential information and assessments, and the inspectors and the Ukrainian personnel are operating under extremely challenging conditions.

Ukraine has four nuclear power plants: Zaporizhzhia, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and South Ukraine. All are producing electricity, with the exception of Zaporizhzhia, which has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022. Russian attacks on the energy supply mean that Ukrainian nuclear power plants are becoming increasingly important to the country's electricity production. Before the war, nuclear power accounted for 55 % of total electricity generation in Ukraine; today, the share is significantly higher.

Norway's cooperation with Ukraine on nuclear safety began after the Chornobyl disaster in 1986 and was significantly expanded following Russia's annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine in 2014. Efforts were further stepped up when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The work is closely coordinated with Nordic and other international partners.

For many years, using funds from the Government's Action Plan for Nuclear Safety and security and the Nansen Programme, Norway has supported projects to reduce the risk of accidents and incidents at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Norway has, among other things, helped to strengthen safety-critical infrastructure, supplied technical equipment, improved maintenance, supported Ukrainian authorities in emergency preparedness, regulatory development and administration, and contributed to international coordination.