Unit 1 of Russia’s Kursk-II NPP, with a Kursk NPP-2 with an innovative Generation 3+ 1,252 MWe VVER-TOI reactor begins commercial operation after receiving final approval from the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostechnadzor). This was preceded by a period of pilot industrial operation, after which Rostechnadzor issued a conclusion on the compliance (AOC) of the project documentation, as well as current technical regulations and energy efficiency requirements.
“This is not only the technological success and labour feat of a large team of builders and power engineers, but also the real embodiment of the connection between generations through the continuity of experience and innovation,” said Rosatom Director General Alexay Likhachev. “During the entire construction period, more than 90,000 people and about 250 contracting and subcontracting organisations took part in the project, from design and delivery to commissioning and launch. I am grateful to the teams of Rosenergoatom, Atomstroyexport and all organisations that took part in the construction of the power unit.”
He added: “We confidently walked towards the goal, despite the difficult, almost combat situation in the south of Russia.” He was referring to the incursion into the Kursk region by Ukrainian forces, which caused work on the new units to be suspended for some time.
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.
“Over the coming years, three more such units will be built at this site, and the Kursk NPP will completely switch to a new generation of reactors, thereby increasing the safety of all domestic nuclear energy. Once again I congratulate everyone on this labour victory. This is our gift to the country exactly for May Day – Workers’ Day,” Likhachev noted.
Kursk-II unit 1 will now enter the energy and capacity market and will officially begin supplying electricity and capacity to consumers within the framework of Russia’s Unified Energy System (UES). Revenue for the power and electricity generated by the unit will amount to a total of RUB11bn ($146m) a month. Its commissioning will contribute taxes to the federal budget of RUB10bn a year.
According Rosenergoatom Director General Alexander Shutikov. the new unit meets the most modern safety and efficiency requirements. “It is also our most “digital” power unit – advanced digital developments were used in its design and project management. The annual output of the unit will be about 10 TWh. Thus, the capacity of the existing Kursk station will increase by more than 60%, and its share in the installed capacity of the UES will increase by approximately 2.5%. This will increase the stability and security of the entire energy system.”
The key innovative features of the VVER-TOI (type optimised informatised pressurised water reactor) include:
- Active use of digital technologies both in design and management including 3D modelling, a unified design information space, digital twins, and the most modern automation and control systems;
- Improved technical and economic indicators – increased power by 25% and doubling the service life of main equipment;
- The use of nickel-free steel for the reactor vessel – a material that retains its properties under prolonged exposure to radiation and high temperatures, which increases the service life of the equipment;
- A core melt localisation device (melt trap) – a unique Russian technology that provides guaranteed safety control even when the reactor shell is destroyed;
- A combination of passive and active safety systems that provide functional redundancy and allow the reactor core to remain intact for at least 72 hours in any accident scenario;
- The ability to operate on 100% mox fuel (mixed oxide fuel containing uranium and plutonium);and
- Compliance with international safety requirementsincluding the requirements of European Operating Organisations (EUR) and the most modern International Atomic Energy Agency requirements.
