Development of Russia’s Smolensk-II NPP has advanced to the electric grid infrastructure stage following the delivery of the first transformer substation modules to the construction site. Delivery of these modules initiates the construction of the permanent 110/10 kV substation. This will replace the temporary 10 kV grid scheme that was connected in August to provide early site lighting and power.
Smolensk-II is being built 6 km away from the existing Smolensk NPP which comprises three RBMK reactors, nearing the end of their design life. The first unit was commissioned in 1982 and has had its lifetime extended until 2027. The second unit has a permit to operate until 29 May 2025 and the third until 14 December 2034. Russia’s general plan for electric power facilities until 2042 includes the first two units of the Smolensk-II NPP, which will feature VVER-TOI reactors scheduled for completion in 2032 and 2034. The units are provisionally scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2033 and 2035,
Environmental approvals were recently cleared, and site preparation (including vertical levelling and building worker accommodation) is nearing completion. In 2027, the main construction phase is scheduled to intensify, with the first concrete pour targeted for the first unit.
Construction of the 110/10 kV transformer substation was the key topics of a meeting of the operational headquarters for the construction of Smolensk-II. Representatives of nuclear utility Rosenergoatom, general contractor of the Titan-2, and 10 subcontractors, as well as the general designer Atomenergoproekt (part of Rosatom’s Engineering Division), took part in the discussions under the chairmanship of Plant Director Ivan Sidorov.
Vasily Anokhin, Governor of the Smolensk Region, noted the importance of large-scale energy construction, emphasizing that the construction of two modern VVER-optima power units at Smolensk NPP-2 is a guarantee of long-term economic stability in the region. “The regional government is providing comprehensive assistance to the project, as reliable energy is the foundation for attracting investors, creating jobs and developing social infrastructure,” he stressed.
Along with the development of the electricity supply, other work underway includes reinforcement shop buildings; customer and general contractor buildings; canteen buildings, roads and engineering networks, foundations of concrete-mortar facilities and other facilities. The equipment contract for 2026-2027 include tower cranes, pumping stations, lifting and machine tools, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire alarm systems, water supply and sanitation. Special emphasis is placed on long-cycle manufacturing equipment for the main construction period.
“We start each operational headquarters meeting with a review of security issues. Every manager must comply with the rules of occupational safety and health,” said Sidorov. “Our goal is zero tolerance for violations. There is a clear system in place at the site: after all the briefings before the shift, representatives of the customer and the general contractor conduct site visits, and if there are any risks, the work stops without hesitation. The safety of people and facilities is our absolute priority.”
