The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine has studied the possibility of the safe operation of reactor one at Yuzhnoukrainsk nuclear power plant (NPP) ahead of schedule and is ready to renew the license for the reactor operation until December 2, 2023, inspectorate head Olena Mykolaichuk has said in an interview with the Uriadovy Kurier newspaper.

According to her, Energoatom in its report on the periodic re-evaluation of safety of the first power unit at Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP justified the safe operation of the power unit until December 2, 2023.

"There is the relevant draft decision. It was made after a state examination of the periodic re-evaluation of safety of reactor one at Yuzhnoukrainsk NPP," the expert said.

The agency head said to verify the completeness and accuracy of information contained in the report filed by Energoatom, a comprehensive inspection survey was conducted at the NPP in the period from October 7 to October 10, 2013.

Earlier, Energoatom said, with reference to the outcome of the comprehensive inspection survey conducted at the nuclear plant, that the technical condition of the first reactor allows to operate it under the condition of implementing all activities according to the schedule.