Unit 7 at Russia’s Novovoronezh NPP 7 (Unit 2 of Novovoronezh Phase II) has completed welding of the main circulation pipeline (MCP) in a record time, NIAEP (principal contractor, and part of the Group of Companies ASE) said on 19 September. Installation of the MCP started on 6 July and was completed on 15 September. All 28 joints were welded over 72 days with by-stage monitoring of operation,” the statement says. The work followed a similar operation at unit 4 of the Rostov NPP, where the MCP was welded within 96 days. Before the end of September it is planned to complete work to apply austenitic stainless steel overlay to inner welds of MCP, which would protect pipelines against corrosion. Commissioning of Novovoronezh-7 is planned for October 2018. Unit 6 (unit 1 at Novovoronezh II) began pilot commercial operation on 12 September. Both units are VVER-1200/392M pressurised water reactors.
