Balakovo-1 life extension report in December

Russian architect-engineer Atomenergoproekt (AEP) expects to complete in December its work on a draft document to support the operating life extension of unit 1 of the Balakovo nuclear power plant in the Saratov district.

The 30-year operating life of the 988 MWe V-320 unit, which started commercial operation in May 1986, expires in December 2015.

In 2009, Rosatom approved investment in work to extend the operating life of the unit, the total cost of which is expected to be RUR 9.8 billion ($237 million), AEP said.

AEP has carried out "a comprehensive survey" of the unit's equipment as well as an in-depth safety analysis report (ISAR).

Russian regulator Rostechnadzor requires the ISAR before it can decide whether or not to issue a licence approving extension of the unit's operating life. OKB Gidropress and the Kurchatov Institute contributed to the ISAR, which has been passed on to the customer for the project, Russian nuclear power plant operator Rosenergoatom.

Gidropress is a Russian nuclear power reactor design and nuclear engineering organization and the Kurchatov Institute is a nuclear research and development institution

Rosatom has also approved in principle life extensions for units 2, 3 and 4 of the Balakovo nuclear power plant, the current licences of which expire, respectively, in 2017, 2018 and 2023. AEP said it is working on documents to support those extensions. All the Balakovo units are V-320 reactors.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News