Hungarian instructors from the Paks-II project have begun a month’s internship at Russia’s Leningrad NPP (specifically units 5&6, also known as Leningrad-II units 1&2).
First concrete for unit 1 of Hungary’s Paks-II expansion project (also known a Paks unit 5) was poured in February. The Pak-II project was launched in 2014 by an inter-governmental agreement between Hungary and Russia for two VVER-1200 reactors (units 5&6) to be supplied by Rosatom. The contract was supported by a Russian state loan to finance the majority of the project. The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority issued the licence for the units in August 2022. In December 2024, Hungary’s National Atomic Energy Authority (OAH – Országos Atomenergia Hivatal) approved the preliminary safety report required for construction to start.
Leningrad-II is the reference plant for Paks-II. Both plants utilise the VVER-1200 (AES-2006) design, a Generation III+ pressurised water reactor. Specifically, units 1&2 at the Leningrad-II plant serve as the direct references for the new units (5&6) at the Paks NPP. Leningrad II unit 1 entered commercial operation in 2018 followed by unit in March 2021.
While Paks-II is built on this reference, it includes specific adaptations for the Paks site, such as the use of fresh cooling water from the Danube River instead of the cooling towers used at the Leningrad plant.
Training will take place at the Leningrad units’ control rooms and full-scale simulator. Each of the trainees will assume the role of unit shift supervisor to ensure they have assimilated the theoretical knowledge acquired previously at Rosatom’s Technical Academy. The training will end with a final exam. “This internship period is the last training for future instructors before completing the instructor course and passing the final exam,” said project manager Inna Robotko. With their final qualifications the Hungarian instructors will be able to begin training operators for Paks-II.
