First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal paid a working visit to the Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad regions.
As part of the visit, the Head of the Ministry of Energy held a working meeting with the management of SE “SkhidGZK,” attended by Members of Parliament from the профильний parliamentary committee, representatives of trade union organizations, regional military administrations, the management of NNEGC Energoatom, the State Property Fund of Ukraine, and Sumykhimprom JSC. During the meeting, participants discussed the current state of the enterprise, issues related to increasing production capacity, and strategic directions for its development.
Particular attention was paid to social issues. Specifically, the parties agreed to increase salaries for workers and foremen of the enterprise by 20% starting from June, as well as to address outstanding wage arrears.
“Preserving the workforce and ensuring the development of the enterprise is a matter of national security,” Denys Shmyhal emphasized.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy also heard a report from the company’s management regarding the enterprise’s operations. Participants further discussed the creation of a vertically integrated holding with NNEGC Energoatom, which would encompass the full cycle from uranium extraction to nuclear power generation.
In addition, the participants reviewed prospects for the development of sulphuric acid production in Ukraine and the preparation of a long-term cooperation agreement with one of the Ukrainian producers.
“Nuclear energy is the foundation of Ukraine’s energy architecture. Therefore, the modernization of and attraction of investment into these enterprises is a matter of resilience and energy security for Ukraine,” Denys Shmyhal added.
During the working trip, Denys Shmyhal also visited the Novokostiantynivska mine of SE “SkhidGZK.”
According to him, SkhidGZK is a strategically important enterprise for the future of Ukraine’s nuclear energy sector. The company ranks among the world’s ten largest producers of uranium concentrate and supplies up to 40% of the needs of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. He also noted that a new management team has already been appointed and will focus on resolving the company’s key challenges.
For his part, Head of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration Andrii Raikovych briefed participants on the current situation at the enterprise.
“The Novokostiantynivska mine possesses some of the largest proven uranium reserves in Ukraine. At the same time, the mine requires an updated development project, infrastructure modernization, and equipment upgrades. Attracting investment, corporatization, and further development of the enterprise are critically important for strengthening the state’s energy security and ensuring the future of Ukraine’s nuclear energy sector,” Andrii Raikovych stated.
It is for this reason that, at the initiative of the Ministry of Energy, the Government approved and submitted to Parliament a draft law on the corporatization of the enterprise. The initiative envisages the transformation of SkhidGZK into a joint-stock company with 100% state ownership of shares. It also предусматриває a moratorium on bankruptcy proceedings and compulsory enforcement actions against the company’s assets.
“The next stage will be the integration of SkhidGZK into NNEGC Energoatom as part of a vertically integrated holding covering the entire cycle — from uranium extraction and concentrate production to electricity generation,” Denys Shmyhal concluded.
As part of his working visit to the Dnipropetrovsk region, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal also presented state awards to employees of the region’s fuel and energy sector.
“Since the first days of the full-scale war, energy workers have demonstrated professionalism, resilience, and genuine courage. The restoration of substations, power grids, generation facilities, and emergency repairs following massive attacks — behind each of these achievements stands the hard work of people who work around the clock, often under the threat of repeated attacks,” Denys Shmyhal stated.
The Head of the Ministry of Energy thanked all employees of the fuel and energy sector for their professionalism, courage, and dedicated work, emphasizing that every restored transmission line and every energy facility returned to operation contributes to the resilience of the state and the security of millions of Ukrainians.
