Equipment for an automated process control system (APCS) for unit 1 of the Akkuyu NPP under construction in Türkiye has been delivered to the site. It was manufactured by the Rosatom Automated Control Systems (RASU – Rosatom Avtomatizirovannie Systemi Upravleniya). The system provides control and management of all main parameters of the reactor installation, as well as the technological processes of the station.
The delivery consisted of 42,000 pieces of equipment with a total weight of 555 tonnes. It included control cabinets, controllers, computing modules and auxiliary components necessary for the operation of automated process control systems and the reactor protection control system. Installation and adjustment of automated process control system equipment will serve as one of the key stages towards the commissioning of the first power unit.
“Technological processes at nuclear power plants require coordinated operation of dozens of main, as well as auxiliary systems and units,” explained Sergei Butskikh Director General of project company Akkuyu Nukleer. “This is possible thanks to a high degree of automation, which enables a small number of maintenance personnel to effectively manage a nuclear power plant. Automated control systems for nuclear power plants use comprehensive, technical and software solutions that ensure the automation of basic technological operations in power unit systems.”
He added: “Modern units with VVER-1200 reactors are equipped with the latest instrument and control systems developed over many years in the Russian nuclear industry, which ensures a high degree of operational safety. Now highly qualified specialists are completing the installation and commissioning of automated process control equipment and its integration with the infrastructure of the first power unit.”
To date, Akkuyu unit 1 has installed most of the control and safety equipment necessary to begin full connection of the unit systems and their subsequent thorough inspection, which will be carried out as part of the key stage of putting the unit into operation – cold and hot testing of the reactor plant.
Akkuyu NPP will eventually host four Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors. The pouring of first concrete for unit 1 took place in April 2018, for unit 2 in June 2020, for unit 3 in March 2021, and for unit 4 in July 2022. Rosatom is constructing the reactors according to a build-own-operate model. Unit 1 is expected to begin operation in 2025-26.
