Russian regulator Rostekhnadzor has issued an operating licence to nuclear utility Rosenergoatom (part of Rosatom) to operate unit 5 of the Novovoronezh NPP until 2036 extending its operation for at least 56 years.
Novovoronezh 5 began operation in May 1980. It was the world’s first power unit with a VVER‑1000 reactor with a design life of 30 years, until 2010. The unit has undergone several stages of modernisation. Its operation was first extended until 2015, then until 2025 and now until 2036. If necessary, in 2036 further life extension may be possible.
The decision to extend was made after a thorough examination. Rostekhnadzor specialists checked all systems and equipment and assessed the compliance of the power unit with the current requirements of federal norms and regulations.
“Unit 5 has great potential. This is confirmed both by the director’s office and by the Kurchatov Institute,” said Novovoronezh NPP Director Vladimir Povarov. “We have additional calculation justifications for the reactor related to the condition of the base metal and welded joints. All calculation codes, which are constantly being improved, enable us to say that the reactor at unit 5 is in excellent condition.”
He added: “If the demand for electricity is high in 10 years, it is quite possible to extend it. The costs of extending the service life are an order of magnitude lower compared with the construction of a new unit. The benefits are obvious. We will conduct an appropriate comprehensive analysis of nuclear, radiation and technical safety. We will assess the condition of the equipment and change the control system. We examine the condition… of the main non-replaceable equipment. And with a positive conclusion from Rostechnadzor, extending the service life is quite possible».
Novovoronezh 4 of the NPP is also operating following multiple extensions. was put into operation in 1972. Its service life has already been extended twice by 15 years giving it a service life of 60 years. “Unit 4 works stably, without operational disruptions, without unloading, without disconnections from the network,” according to Povarov. “We have installed additional security systems – they provide a good level of security and installed capacity utilization factor. We replaced the information and computing system and installed a modern digital automated process control system. It is a very good unit.”
In total, seven units with VVER-type reactors have been built and put into operation at the Novovoronezh site. Three of these were lead prototypes for subsequent serial construction – unit 3 (VVER-440), unit 5 (VVER-1000) and unit 6 (VVER-1200). Units 1&2 were shut down in 1984 and 1990 and placed in a nuclear safe state. Unit 3 was shut down in 2016 for decommissioning.
At the end of August 2025, the Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev signed an order for the construction of unit 8, which will have a VVER-TOI reactor. Commissioning is planned for 2036.
