VVER-440 and VVER-1000 nuclear power plants in Europe
Finland
There are two VVER-440 reactor units in Finland, Loviisa 1 and Loviisa 2. Loviisa 1 was commissioned in 1977 and Loviisa 2 in 1980. The Loviisa nuclear power plant is owned by Fortum Power and Heat Oy, and operated by Fortum. In 2023, the operating license for both of the Loviisa units was extended until the end of 2050. In the recent years, the production of the two units at the Loviisa nuclear power plant has corresponded to about 13% of Finland’s electricity production.
Czech Republic
There are four VVER-440 units (Dukovany 1–4) and two VVER-1000 units (Temelín 1-2) in operation in the Czech Republic. The first reactor unit of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant was connected to the grid in 1985, the second and third units in 1986, and the fourth unit in 1987. The two VVER-1000 units in Temelín were connected to the grid in 2000 and 2002, respectively. The nuclear power plants are owned and operated by ČEZ Group. In 2021, the annual production of electric energy from the VVER units represented 36% of the total electricity generated in the Czech Republic.
Slovakia
Slovakia has four VVER-440 nuclear reactors in operation: Bohunice unit 3 (commissioned 1984), Bohunice unit 4 (commissioned 1985), Mochovce unit 1 (commissioned 1998), Mochovce unit 2 (commissioned 1999). In addition, a new unit, Mochovce 3, was commissioned in early 2023 and Mochovce unit 4 is close to completion. The nuclear power plants are owned by Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. and produce approximately 54% of the country’s electricity.
Ukraine
Ukraine has a total of thirteen VVER-1000 units, including Rivne 3 and 4, Khmelnitski 1 and 2, South Ukraine 1-3 and Zaporizhzhia 1-6. Ukraine also operates two VVER-440 units, Rivne 1 and 2. The VVER-1000 units were commissioned between 1982 and 2004 and the two VVER- 440 units were commissioned 1980 and 1981, respectively. The nuclear power plants are owned and operated by Energoatom. In 2020, these plants produced 51% of the total electricity generated in Ukraine.
Hungary
Hungary has four VVER-440 units, Paks 1-4, which are owned and operated by MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd. The four units were commissioned between 1982 and 1987. In 2020, 46% of the total electricity production in Hungary was generated by the four nuclear units.
Bulgaria
There are two VVER-1000 units operating in Bulgaria, Kozloduy unit 5 and 6, commissioned in 1987 and 1991, respectively. The plant is owned by Bulgarian Energy Holding. In 2019, 37% of the electricity produced in Bulgaria was generated by two nuclear reactors in Kozloduy.
More information on the nuclear energy status for different countries can be found here:
Information Library – World Nuclear Association (world-nuclear.org)