Ukraine Has Big Plans For the Site of the Chernobyl Disaster

  • The Ukrainian government has found a literal bright side to the Chernobyl site: sunshine! With a successful solar farm built in Chernobyl, the nation will become less reliant upon Russian resources and will be investing in the future of our world by lowering its environmental impact.

    Chernobyl, the site of one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of the world, cannot be used for much. But there is a lot of sunshine in the area, which can be harvested and marketed using already existent power transmission infrastructure.

    Initial plans envisage the installation of 4 MW in solar capacity in Chernobyl by the end of this year. Semerak said that two investment firms from the U.S. and four energy companies from Canada have already expressed interest in the project.

    Solar power is a major part of Ukraine’s renewable ambitions. Last year, the government announced that over US$3 billion will be invested in the development of solar power farms by 2020, as part of efforts to achieve a portion of the 11% for renewables in the country’s energy mix.

    At the moment, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is Ukraine’s largest source of financing in general, but businesses are also interested in taking part in what can be safely called an energy overhaul.

    Energy security is a priority for Kiyv, which has proved unable or unwilling to pay for Russian gas deliveries. This led to a couple of “gas crises”.

    It’s offering feed-in tariff premiums to local renewable energy suppliers, which has, according to industry insiders, led to a “new renaissance” in the local renewable energy sector.

    Are you surprised that the site of Chernobyl can become a renewable energy source?

    Article Source: Oil Price



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