The UkrNS’ Youth Nuclear Forum was held at the Rivne NPP

From June 28 to 30, 2024 the Youth Nuclear Forum was held for the first time at the Rivne NPP site, organized by the Ukrainian Nuclear Society with the support of the primary trade union organization of the Energoatom company and the Rivne NPP, as well as with the financial support of the Energy Safety Group and the Atomprofsoyuz of Ukraine. The event brought together more than 35 young professionals, scientists and specialists from the nuclear industry of Ukraine.

The forum aimed to unite young professionals for networking, exchanging innovative ideas on the Ukrainian nuclear sector, and engaging them in discussing critical current issues. One of the forum’s key highlights was a case competition which focused on topics such as the effective development of nuclear energy in Ukraine, opportunities for constructing small modular reactors (SMRs) or large AP1000-type power units, strategies for restoring the Zaporizhzhia NPP following its de-occupation, and reintegrating ghost towns associated with unrealized nuclear energy projects into Ukraine’s economic and energy infrastructure.

Participants were divided into four teams, each mentored by an industry expert who guided them in preparing solutions. For two weeks prior to the forum, the teams worked on ideas for their projects, which were refined during a training session upon their arrival and presented to a jury on the second day of the event.

In addition to the case study, the forum program included excursion tours to the facilities of the Rivne NPP.