Nuclear Power in Eastern Europe: A Region Under Strain

Iranian Shahed drone moments before striking protective dome of Chernobyl reactor."

By EVWorld Si Editorial Team

As Poland advances plans to host Europe's first small-scale nuclear power plant, the broader picture of nuclear energy in Eastern Europe tells a far more precarious story - especially inside war-torn Ukraine.

Ukraine: Nuclear Power Under Fire

Ukraine has long relied on its four nuclear plants to supply around half of its electricity. But since Russia’s invasion, nuclear facilities have been caught in the crossfire:

• Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)—Europe’s largest—has been under Russian military control since 2022. All six reactors remain in cold shutdown, yet the site’s safety is at constant risk due to shelling, power cuts, and dwindling cooling supplies. The IAEA reports that emergency diesel generators and makeshift fixes are all that prevent disaster.
• Other Ukrainian plants—Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and South Ukraine—continue to generate power but face grid instability from repeated Russian missile and drone strikes. Safety margins are razor-thin, with reactors at times forced to depend on backup systems.
• Even Chernobyl, long shut down, was struck by drones in February 2025, damaging the protective structure around the infamous reactor.

Beyond Ukraine: Eastern Europe’s Nuclear Dependence

Poland’s SMR project fits into a larger regional reliance on nuclear energy:

• Finland: Operates five reactors, including Olkiluoto 3, now a cornerstone of its decarbonization strategy.
• Slovakia: With new units at Mochovce, nuclear could soon cover 70% of national electricity demand.
• Romania: Two CANDU reactors at Cernavodă provide about 20% of its power.
• Bulgaria: The Kozloduy plant keeps the grid stable with two operating VVER reactors.
• Armenia: The Metsamor reactor, a Soviet-era design, remains critical for national energy but raises safety concerns.

A Fragile Balance

Eastern Europe’s nuclear sector is torn between innovation and insecurity. Poland’s move toward modular reactors signals a future of smaller, more flexible nuclear units. Yet in Ukraine, the specter of nuclear catastrophe persists daily, as the world’s most fragile power plants endure the stresses of war.

In this context, Poland’s nuclear ambitions are both a symbol of resilience and a reminder: in a troubled region, nuclear power remains as much a geopolitical flashpoint as an energy solution.

Views: 69