On May 12–13, the second stage of an international insurance survey was conducted at Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP), with the participation of representatives from Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP), accompanied by Dmytro Rasshyvalov, Director General of the Ukraine Nuclear Insurance Pool Association.
In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage and its Financial Security,” Joint Stock Company National Nuclear Energy Generating Company, Energoatom, as the operator of nuclear installations, provides insurance coverage for liability related to nuclear damage that may arise as a result of a nuclear incident.
Liability insurance for nuclear installation operators is an essential prerequisite for the implementation of a number of international energy projects in the country. Insurance surveys are conducted to verify risks associated with the operation of nuclear power plants are insurable and in compliance with the requirements of the international pooling system for insurance and reinsurance of nuclear liability. Insurance surveys are conducted systematically every three to five years.
“Our delegates periodically inspect nuclear power plants as part of the cooperation between the Nuclear Insurance Pool and JSC NNEGC Energoatom. These reviews allow us to assess the level of safety and operational reliability of power units,” noted Dmytro Rasshyvalov, Director General of the Nuclear Insurance Pool Association.
“A key consideration, in helping to maintain international nuclear insurance support for the nuclear power plants in Ukraine and Energoatom is for Insurers to ‘see’ the plant as well as to be ‘told’ about the plant, after several years of only being able to be hold surveys remotely our collaboration with GNSP and Energoatom to be able to see the plant has been an important achievement” stated Mark Popplewell, Managing Director of Nuclear Risk Insurers (NRI), the British Nuclear Insurance Pool.
“Considering the risks associated with martial law in Ukraine, and following consultations with foreign insurance pools, the British Nuclear Insurance Pool proposed conducting the insurance survey at RNPP in a hybrid format combining two stages — remote discussions followed by a physical visit to the plant site,” stated Mykola Dyvysenko, Head of the RNPP Safety Analysis Department.
The first stage of the survey was conducted remotely over two days of online discussions between engineering surveyors and RNPP personnel in accordance with a pre-developed program covering three key areas: Nuclear Safety and Operations / Third-Party Liability, Machinery Breakdown (Equipment Reliability) and Fire Protection.
The first-stage (tell me) survey team included representatives of the British Nuclear Insurance Pool (NRI), American Nuclear Insurers (ANI), the Nordic Nuclear Insurance Pool (NNI), and the Czech Nuclear Insurance Pool (CNIP). Throughout this stage, the RNPP team demonstrated a high level of professionalism and openness. Each department contributed to the preparation and presentation of information, showcasing effective teamwork and coordination.
The second stage (show me) of the hybrid insurance survey involved a physical visit to RNPP. The program included meetings and individual sessions. During this phase, GNSP experts conducted walkthrough inspections of the nuclear power plant and held further discussion with site staff.
Following the second stage, NRI engineers met with GNSP experts in Warsaw for a debrief on the physical aspects of the survey. Excellent discussion generated a mutual overview of the operation and management of Rivne NPP. The process demonstrated that even in the most challenging circumstances it remains possible to adapt, overcome and generate a meaningful engineering survey, informing underwriters on presented insurance risks. The results and conclusions of the RNPP International Insurance Survey are expected to be provided within the next month.
The conduct of international insurance surveys is an important component of RNPP management’s cooperation with international partners and confirms the plant’s commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and operational reliability. RNPP Management consistently comply with international requirements in the field of nuclear and radiation safety, ensuring the reliable and stable operation of its power units amid today’s challenges.