Russia’s Leningrad NPP said on 26 February it had launched a comprehensive testing programme for unit 2 of the Leningrad-II NPP (also known as Leningrad 6) at its rated power. The new VVER-1200 unit will have to undergo 15 days of tests as the final phase of its pilot operation.
“These tests are a criterion for the success of the entire stage of pilot operation, which lasts more than 140 days,” noted Aleksandr Belyaev, chief engineer of Leningrad II. We started these works strictly according to the schedule, and commissioning is going according to plan. During the 15-day comprehensive testing at 100% capacity, all equipment and systems must function efficiently, reliably and safely, as provided for by the requirements of technological regulations and in full compliance with the design. Only after that, we can be sure that the new unit is fully ready for commissioning in accordance with the project for 60 years of operation.”
Following the final tests, the unit will continue to operate at nominal power level until a conclusion is received on its compliance with the requirements of technical regulations and design documentation. This is the basis for starting commercial operation, scheduled for the spring. The first fuel assemblies were loaded into the reactor core in July 2020 after which the unit was brought to the minimum controlled power, and was submitted to a series of tests. it was connected to the grid in October. Currently, units 3 and 5 (Leningrad-II unit 1) are in operation. Units 1&2 were shut down for decommissioning and unit 4 is in scheduled maintenance.
