A delegation of experts from the Moscow Centre of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO-MC) have completed a mission to the site of the Akademik Lomonosov, the world’s only floating NPP, based in Pevek (Chukotka Autonomous District).
A team of experts consisting of specialists from the central office of Russian nuclear utility Rosenergoatom, the Rosatom Technical Academy and Kola NPP visited the site to discuss experiences and best practices in the field of operational improvement. The mission took place in two stages: from 15-20 March 15 at the training unit in St Petersburg, and from 8-15 April at the NPP site in Chukotka.
In Pevek, the experts communicated with the staff and answered questions. The meeting participants also shared best practices on issues related to the organisation of repairs at various Russian nuclear power plants, as well as good practices in the field of repair work and repair documentation.
Oleg Semenenko, Advisor to the WANO Moscow Centre, stressed that it was the staff of the NPP that initiated this support mission. “We aim to increase the efficiency in operation and ensure the safety of each nuclear facility. Thanks to the new knowledge and experience gained by the employees of the nuclear plant during the mission, growth points have been identified and a vector for improvement in the field of ensuring NPP safety has been set,” he said.
Following the visit, the WANO-MC team will complete a report with a protocol of the main topics related to the organisation of repairs.
Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and began commercial operation in May 2020. The total power supplied to the coastal network of Pevek without consumption of thermal energy by the shore, is about 76 MWe, and 44 MWt. Electricity generation from the plant at the end of 2023 amounted to 194m kWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 while Akademik Lomonosov can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000.
Akademik Lomonosov is a replacement for the retiring capacities of the Bilibino NPP, which has been operating since 1974, and for the Chaunskaya thermal power plant, which is already more than 70 years old. In September 2023, a 110 kilovolt 490-kilometre-long power transmission line was put into operation, connecting the cities of Pevek and Bilibino. The line has increased the reliability of power supply from Akademik Lomonosov to both Bilibino consumers and mining enterprises, the largest of which is the Baimsky GOK (Gorna Obogatitelnii Kombinat – mining and processing plant).
