Public hearings have been held in the Ussuri urban district of Russia’s far east Primorsky Territory on the materials justifying licences for construction of a two-unit NPP. Project-related information was provided at the hearing, including preliminary environmental impact assessment materials. Participants included representatives of regional and local authorities; state corporations Rosatom, Rosenergoatom and Atomstroyexport; healthcare, educational and cultural institutions; scientific and environmental communities; as well as residents of the region and the media.
“The Primorye energy system faces growing demand,” said Elena Shish, Minister of Energy & Gas Supply of the Primorsky Territory. “New industries, residential areas, and port infrastructure require more and more energy. A nuclear power plant will produce stable megawatts that do not depend on external factors. This will allow us to look confidently to the future, overcoming the current energy shortages. Large-scale construction will bring with it multi-billion-dollar investments, taxes to budgets.”
Construction of the Primorsky NPP with two VVER-1000 reactors is included in the general plan for electric power facilities to 2042. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 with operation the first unit scheduled for 2033 and the second for 2035.
“As a result of a comprehensive analysis, the Razdolnoye site near Krasny Yar, 14 km from Ussuriysk, was identified as the priority for the location of the nuclear power plant; at the moment, no prohibiting factors have been identified. Research is still ongoing,” said Sergei Egorov, Director of Science & Innovation at Atomenergoproekt (part of Rosatom’s Engineering Division). “We are designing a facility with a conservative margin for all natural phenomena. It must withstand any challenges, including those that happen once every millennium. The combination of a correctly selected site, decades- long experience with VVERs and modern passive safety systems ensure the station’s resistance to earthquakes, hurricanes and floods with a multiple excess of design values.”
He added: “Choosing a NPP site is a difficult task…. The process includes two stages: selection of a location – determination of a general area promising for construction; in the case of the Primorsky NPP there were about ten of them and selection of a specific site – detailed examination of specific areas – there were four of them…. If the site does not meet the requirements for at least one safety criterion, it is rejected regardless of its economic attractiveness…. Razdolnoye is 50 km from Vladivostok. There are transport corridors nearby, and it is possible to connect to existing 500 kV power lines, which minimises the cost of creating a new network infrastructure.”
Alexander Nikolaevich Chernysh, Chairman of the Duma of the Ussuri Urban District said universities in Primorye are already training personnel for the nuclear industry, and with the launch of NPP, new programmes, practices and internships will be developed. “Already at the construction stage, up 8,000 people will be involved, and during operation 1,500 highly qualified specialists will be needed. That being said, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about nuclear engineers. A large enterprise of this scale has a multiplier effect for every job at the NPP there are up to 10 jobs in related industries and services.”
The materials submitted for discussion are available to everyone for review and proposals until 2 May 2. They are posted in electronic form on the official websites of the Administration of the Ussuri Urban District of Primorsky Territory and Rosenergoatom. In printed form they are available to view at the Administration of the Ussuri Urban District.
