Unit 2 at Russia’s Bilibino NPP in the Arctic Chukotka Autonomous Okrug has been closed for decommissioning. Bilibino NPP comprised four unique 12 MWe uranium-graphite pressure-tube EGP-6 reactors commissioned between 1974 and 1976. The EGP-6 reactor (Energeticheskii Geterogennii Petlevoi Reaktor) is a scaled-down version of the larger RBMK design, that uses graphite as a moderator and light water for cooling with natural circulation, making it suitable for remote, permafrost regions.
The decision to close the reactors was approved in March 2016. Unit 1 was shut down in 2018 and used fuel from the reactor core has been transferred to the holding pool. In 2004, the operating life of unit 2 was extended for 15 years. Following its closure, units 3&4 will also be shut down by the end of the year.
Bilibino NPP produced 80% of the electricity generated in the isolated Chaun-Bilibino power system, and provided heat for the city of Bilibino. However, since 2020 it has been replaced by power from the Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP (PATES – Plavuchaya Atomnaya TeploElektroStantsiya) located in Pevek.
“They have been preparing for the transition to a new reality for the NPP and the city of Bilibino for many years: a replacement energy centre has been built and is already functioning, as well as other infrastructure. In addition, electricity comes to us from Pevek, where the floating nuclear power plant is located,” noted Bilibino NPP Director Konstantin Kholopov.
The decommissioning phase is expected to last about eight years. “It will begin with obtaining a licence from Rostechnadzor and will end with the implementation of the full scope of work in accordance with the design documentation,” explained Andrey Kuznetsov, Chief Engineer of the Bilibino NPP. “Specialists will need to carry out a whole range of operations, including the removal of used fuel, dismantling of equipment and structures, as well as waste management – all this is work for decades to come. Thus, the complete rehabilitation of the site is not expected until after 2054.”
The position of the plant personnel will be decided in stages. During the unloading used nuclear fuel, which will last approximately two years (2026-2027), the vast majority of the positions will remain, and some employees will be transferred to understaffed departments. After 2027, in line with the documents already developed by Rosenergoatom, specialists will be offered employment in other divisions of Rosenergoatom and Rosatom with compensation for expenses when moving to a new place of residence.
Decommissioning a NPP in Far North will be complex and the experience of the Bilibino NPP will be unique since not a single industrially used site in Russia has ever shut down all its power units at the same time.
