Unit 1 at Russia’s Kursk-II NPP – the first unit with an innovative VVER-#~TOI reactor, is ready for operation having completed all the required commissioning tests. During its pilot operation the unit has already generated more than 1 GWh of electricity.
Kursk-II will replace the currently operating Kursk NPP, which comprises four ageing RBMK reactors (two of which are now closed) with four new units comprising Generation 3+ VVER-TOI reactors. Unit 2 is expected to begin operation in 2027, and the construction and commissioning of units 3&4 are planned for 2042. Unit 1 was connected to the grid in January.
The final decision on the acceptance of Kursk-II unit 1and its readiness for operation will be made by the acceptance committee of nuclear utility Rosenergoatom after receiving the conclusion of the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological & Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) on the unit’s compliance with established safety requirements and design documentation. Rosatom will then be able to issue permission to put the new VVER-TOI into operation.
Pilot operation is a decisive stage, it confirms compliance with the design of power unit systems and equipment under different operating conditions,” said Kursk NPP Director Alexander Uvakin. “At Kursk-II we are building the most powerful units in Russia based on the VVER-TOI project. After completion of the pilot operation stage, the first nuclear giant is already one step away from full commissioning. This is a great achievement of the entire team of Kursk-II and Rosenergoatom.”
Oleg Shperle, Vice President and Project Director for the Kursk NPP at Atomstroyexport said reaching this stage “was preceded by years of painstaking work by tens of thousands of highly qualified specialists from all over the country”. He added: “We brought an ambitious and technically complex project to its conclusion, maintaining quality, meeting deadlines and budget, and this is a real victory that we can all rightfully be proud of, which is especially important in such a difficult time for our country. Such victories not only confirm the correctness of the previously decisions, but also gives impetus for new production achievements.”
Yuri Markov, Director General of Rosenergopatom subsidiary Atomtekhenergo said the launch of Kursk-II unit 1 solves an important strategic task of ensuring the energy security of Russia, replacing the retired capacities of existing nuclear power plants and increasing the reliability of energy supply to the central part of the country. “The experience accumulated in by Rosenergoatom and Atomtekhenergo in launching NPPs with VVER-1200 reactors of various types made it possible to optimise the timing and volume of commissioning work at each stage of commissioning the unit. Thanks to the coordinated and organised work of all launch, the tasks were solved efficiently and effectively, which made it possible to successfully and without complication complete all dynamic tests and commissioning work.”
The VVER-TOI (water-cooled power reactor – standard optimised informatised) has improved technical and economic indicators: compared with previous generation VVER-1000 reactor. The capacity is increased by 25%, to 1250 MWe. The service life of the main equipment is doubled. The project involves the use of a combination of passive and active safety systems.
