A working meeting was held at Russia’s NPP with the management of Titan-2, general contractor for the construction of new units at the planned Kola-II NPP. The meeting discussed the preparatory stage of the project, which will become the driving force for the socio-economic development of the Arctic.
In March, Rosenergoatom and Titan-2 (both part of Rosatom) signed a general contract agreement for the construction of two 600 MWe VVER-S reactors at Kola-II. The VVER-S (Spectral) is Rosatom’s next-generation “medium-power” reactor, designed to fill the gap between small modular reactors (SMRs) and 1200 MWe units.
The VVER-S can operate on a 100% mox (mixed oxide) fuel load, recycling plutonium from the used fuel of older reactors. Because it “breeds” and then burns its own fuel, it significantly reduces the amount of high-level radioactive waste produced per kilowatt-hour. Spectral regulation also allows the reactor to change its power output much more quickly than traditional plants, making it a perfect partner for unreliable wind and solar grids.
The focus of the meeting was the spread of work during the preparatory period: field surveys, design of infrastructure, access roads and logistics for future construction. The meeting participants also inspected the construction site of the new station to assess the scale and conditions of the upcoming work.
“Kola-II is a strategic project for the nuclear industry and the entire Murmansk region, said Kola NPP Director Vasily Omelchuk. “We are entering an active phase: field surveys and infrastructure design will start this year. The new station will strengthen the energy security of the region, give impetus to the creation of jobs and the development of related industries. The joint work with Titan-2 is structured in order to begin the first stage of construction in 2027.”
Titan-2 Director General Grigory Naginsky noted: “Kola-II will be the first station with innovative medium-power VVER-S reactors. Implementing a project in Arctic conditions requires high organisation and experience. I am confident that joint work will ensure a high standard of construction and timely commissioning of capacities.”
According to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, implementation of the project will make it possible to confidently develop the economy and social sphere of the Arctic region and will open up opportunities for launching new industrial projects on its territory. Commissioning the first power unit is planned for 2035 and the second for 2037.
