The foundation slab for unit 3 of Russia’s Kursk-II NPP has been completed four months ahead of schedule, Rosatom reported. Some 200 workers concreted the 5,400 square metres of the slab. All stages of concreting were accompanied by multi-level quality control and specialists monitored dozens of important parameters every day.
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 1 began commercial operation at the end of April. Unit 2 is expected to begin operation in 2027, and the construction and commissioning of units 3&4 are planned for 2042.
“Implementation of the Kursk-II project is being carried out using modern engineering solutions that ensure a high level of safety, quality and efficiency of construction at all stages,” said Kursk NPP Director Alexander Uvakin. “The safety and stability of any facility, especially one as complex as a nuclear power plant, depends on the foundation. I express my gratitude to the team, thanks to whose experience, interaction and hard work, the implementation of another key task within the framework of the implementation of one of the advanced projects in the nuclear industry was carried out at a high level and ahead of schedule.”
Alexander Khazin, project director for the construction of power Kursk-II units 3&4 at Atomstroyexport (ASE – Rosatom’s Engineering Division) noted: “Completion of concreting of the foundation of the reactor building is an important stage of construction, after which the installation of reinforcement blocks and concreting of the walls of the main building of the power unit will begin. Next, specialists will begin constructing the walls of the reactor building.”
Work is expected to continue at the same pace and Rosatom plans to install the first components of the internal containment later in 2026.
