Energoatom - United Kingdom

[Vaka]

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Encryption: Top Secret
Recipient: Andrew Stone, Energy Secretary, United Kingdom Jamie
Sender: Antonivna Kolisnyk, Marketing Director, Energoatom.
Subject: Future Sizewell and Wylfa Projects

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Good Morning Secretary Stone,

We are thrilled to hear of your interest in our VVER-1200 reactor design. The VVER-1200 is our most technologically advance unit currently in our catalog. Its advanced safety features ensure not only the well being of the surrounding area but to the longevity of the unit. They are also a long lasting unit. The design lifespan is 60 years (extendable to up to 80). Now with both of the locations, Sizewell and Wylfa, offering passive cooling thanks to nearby water sources; this will offer lower lifetime operating costs. The VVER-1200 reactor design seems a perfect choice for both locations.

Before we begin, our engineering team has prepared a short list of questions. Once we get the responses back, we will be able to give you a proper timetable and quote regarding the VVER-1200 reactor designs for both locations.

What regulatory adaptations would be required to meet UK nuclear standards?

What timeline does the government foresee for licensing and construction approval?

Would the UK be interested in a long-term civil nuclear partnership with Ukraine?

Which British industries should be integrated into the supply chain? We are assuming that the United Kingdom has the capabilities to enrich the uranium required for these units. We can supply both entrenched and raw uranium if needed however this will require further work with the Ministry of Energy in Ukraine. Also what are your plans for the spent nuclear fuel? This can also be stored in Ukraine but again will require working closely with the Ministry of Energy.

What role does the government see nuclear energy playing in the UK's long-term energy mix? Does the government anticipate additional reactor sites beyond Wylfa and Sizewell in the future?

Would the government consider a two-reactor procurement package to reduce costs?

What remaining concerns would the UK government have before committing to this project?

We are currently in the process of creating mock-ups for both sites. I hope to have them prepared before our next meeting. Thank you for your interest in the VVER-1200 reactor design and I look forward to working closely with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Antonivna Kolisnyk
Marketing Director
Energoatom

 

[Jamie]

GOV.UK

Security Classification: SECRET​

Dear Antonivna Kolisnyk, (Vaka ),

Thank you for your message and for the detailed introduction to the VVER-1200 design. We appreciate Energoatom’s engagement and the thoroughness of your preparations, the United Kingdom Government welcomes the opportunity to explore potential cooperation and looks forward to reviewing the mock-ups for both Sizewell and Wylfa.

Any reactor technology deployed in the United Kingdom must complete the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process conducted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency. This process reviews reactor safety, security, and environmental protection standards in depth. While the VVER-1200’s advanced safety systems are noted, certain design adaptations and documentation updates would likely be required to fully meet UK regulatory frameworks and licensing requirements. Our government is committed to ensuring that any new nuclear deployment proceeds efficiently while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

The UK is open to exploring long-term civil nuclear cooperation with international partners, including Ukraine. Such cooperation could include technology exchange, research collaboration, and supply-chain partnerships, subject to regulatory approval and alignment with UK national security and energy policy frameworks. We strongly encourage substantial participation from British industry in any nuclear project undertaken within the UK. Areas likely to involve UK suppliers include advanced engineering, reactor components, civil construction, digital control systems, and nuclear services.

Regarding fuel cycle services, the UK retains domestic capabilities related to nuclear fuel processing and enrichment through established partners within the civil nuclear sector. Fuel supply arrangements would therefore need to be discussed further to ensure compatibility with UK supply security policies. As for spent nuclear fuel, current UK policy anticipates long-term geological disposal within the United Kingdom. Interim storage at reactor sites would be expected, pending the development of a national Geological Disposal Facility. Exporting spent fuel would therefore not currently align with UK policy, though technical cooperation on fuel management could still be explored.

Nuclear energy remains a central component of the United Kingdom’s long-term strategy for achieving secure, low-carbon electricity generation. The government expects nuclear to play a significant role alongside renewables in delivering reliable baseload power.

While Sizewell and Wylfa are key potential locations, the government continues to assess additional sites and technologies as part of its broader energy strategy. The possibility of a two-reactor package is of interest and could potentially provide economies of scale. However, any such arrangement would need to be evaluated alongside financing structures, regulatory considerations, and supply chain capacity. Before the government could commit to a project of this nature, several key factors would require careful review, including:

• Full regulatory approval through the UK’s nuclear safety and environmental frameworks,
• Financing structure and value for money for UK taxpayers and consumers,
• Supply chain resilience and security considerations,
• Fuel cycle arrangements and long-term waste management compatibility with UK policy,
• Integration with the UK electricity grid and long-term energy strategy.

We welcome continued dialogue on these matters and would be pleased to arrange further technical discussions between our respective teams once your preliminary site mock-ups are available.

Thank you again for your engagement. I look forward to our continued cooperation.

Please find below our initial responses to your questions.

Kind Regards,
Andrew Stone
Energy Secretary

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[Vaka]

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Encryption: Top Secret
Recipient: Andrew Stone, Energy Secretary, United Kingdom Jamie
Sender: Antonivna Kolisnyk, Marketing Director, Energoatom.
Subject: RE:Future Sizewell and Wylfa Projects

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Good Morning Secretary Stone,

Let me first thank you for your responses. I, along with our engineering team have been going over them carefully in hopes of continuing plans for both the Sizewell and Wylfa sites.

Firstly we understand and respect the importance of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA). We understand that it is not only time intensive but expensive. But as a show of support in hopes of being able to work together with the United Kingdom, We would like to jointly fund the GDA submission and provide a UK-adapted design. Energoatom is prepared to support the full Generic Design Assessment process and work with British regulators to ensure the VVER-1200 meets all UK safety and environmental standards.

We are also thrilled to have British participation in the construction process.British civil engineering contracts can be easily included in the overall plans for both locations. We can also make cost adjustments by using UK turbine manufacturing. This will bring in additional jobs to the UK market, making these projects much more popular at home.

The United Kingdom also has already established fuel-cycle capabilities. In regards to spent fuel, the sites will both include on-site capabilities with dry cask storage. We can also work compatibility with any long-term waste management that the UK government deems appropriate.

With considerations towards the overall cost of the project, a coordinated two-reactor program at Wylfa and Sizewell could significantly reduce overall project costs through standardized construction and shared engineering resources. Once the Generic Design Assessment is completed, all modifications are engineered, along with structured partnerships with British Industry we will be able to come to a final asking price.

Finally we are ready to present the initial artists sketches for each site. We would love to hear any feed back that you might have regarding the sketches. Please forward my office any of the required paperwork that would be involved in starting the GDA. Our offices are fully prepared to help begin that process.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Wylfa Reactor Project (Isle of Anglesey, Wales)
Located on the rugged northern coast of Isle of Anglesey, the Wylfa project is designed as a coastal nuclear station integrated into rocky terrain and open grassland.

Core Facility Layout
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Main Structures

1. Reactor Containment Dome
   • Reinforced concrete double containment structure
   • Houses the VVER-1200 reactor vessel and primary coolant loops
   • Approximately 70–75 meters tall
2. Turbine Hall
   • Long rectangular structure adjacent to the reactor building
   • Contains steam turbines and electrical generators
   • Receives steam from the reactor via secondary loop
3. Exhaust Stack
   • Tall striped stack used for ventilation and controlled atmospheric release
   • Associated with filtration systems and emergency ventilation

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Seawater Cooling Infrastructure​

Because Wylfa is directly on the coast, no cooling towers are required.

Instead, the design includes:

Seawater Pump House

• Located directly on the shoreline
• Draws cooling water from the Irish Sea

Intake Tunnels

• Large submerged tunnels extending offshore
• Pull in cold seawater through filtered intake structures

Outfall Tunnels

• Return warmed water to the sea
• Carefully designed to disperse heat and avoid marine ecosystem disruption

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Electrical Switchyard
Large outdoor high-voltage yard
Transmits electricity into the British national grid
Includes step-up transformers and transmission towers

Environmental Integration
The Wylfa site emphasizes visual integration with the landscape:
Facility built into rocky coastline
Surrounding terrain dominated by grasslands and stone outcrops
Low vegetation to maintain natural Anglesey coastal appearance

The goal is a modern but restrained industrial footprint within a dramatic natural setting.

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Sizewell Reactor Project (Suffolk Coast)
The Sizewell project would be located on the east coast of England near Sizewell, beside the existing nuclear facilities.
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Core Facility Layout​

Reactor Containment Dome​

• Identical VVER-1200 containment design
• Houses reactor vessel and safety systems
• Positioned slightly inland for flood resilience

Turbine Hall​

• Connected to containment building
• Long rectangular structure housing steam turbines

Exhaust Stack​

• Used for filtered ventilation of plant systems
• Integrated with safety monitoring equipment

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Seawater Cooling System​

Like Wylfa, Sizewell does not require cooling towers.
Cooling relies on the North Sea.

Key structures include:

Seawater Pump House

• Located on the shoreline
• Houses large seawater intake pumps

Intake Tunnels

• Long tunnels running under the seabed
• Pull cold seawater from offshore intake heads

Outfall Tunnels

• Discharge warmed cooling water
• Designed for thermal dispersion in open sea currents

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Electrical Switchyard

• High-voltage switchyard located inland
• Connects directly to the UK national grid
• Allows large baseload power transmission

Again, the goal is a modern but restrained industrial footprint within a dramatic natural setting.

Sincerely,

Antonivna Kolisnyk
Marketing Director
Energoatom