Regulator assess readiness of new Leningrad unit

The Russian regulator Rostechnadzor has started "testing the readiness for physical start-up" of unit 1 of the Leningrad Phase II nuclear power plant under construction in western Russia. Rosenergoatom, the nuclear power plant operator subsidiary of Rosatom, started cold and hot function testing at the VVER-1200 unit in April.

The Russian regulator Rostechnadzor has started "testing the readiness for physical start-up" of unit 1 of the Leningrad Phase II nuclear power plant under construction in western Russia. Rosenergoatom, the nuclear power plant operator subsidiary of Rosatom, started cold and hot function testing at the VVER-1200 unit in April.

The construction site of Leningrad Phase II (Image: Rosatom)

Vladislav Manakov, deputy head of Rostechnadzor's department for regulating the safety of nuclear power plants and research facilities, presented the plant's director, Vladimir Peregud, with the official documents of the audit for signing.

According to the Rosatom statement, Manakov said: "This stroke of the pen opens a new milestone in the life cycle of the Leningrad NPP power units."

The large-scale inspection will take two weeks to complete and will be conducted by specialists in construction supervision, licensing, the design and manufacturing of equipment, and nuclear and radiation safety, among others.

Consideration will be given to the fact the project includes a significant amount of documentation, which covers: putting into operation the unit's buildings and premises; commissioning the readiness of its technological systems and equipment; and test reports on safety systems and systems important for safety, Rosatom said. Particular attention will be paid to issues concerning nuclear power plant personnel, training and qualifications, it added.

Based on the results of the inspection, the regulator will make an independent assessment of the readiness of the unit for start-up, during which fresh nuclear fuel assemblies will be loaded into its core.

The company did not give the expected date for the unit's start-up, but confirmed it would be before the end of this year.

The existing Leningrad plant site has four operating RMBK-1000 units, while Leningrad II will have four VVER-1200 units. The general designer of Leningrad II is Atomproekt, while the general contractor is TITAN-2 JSC.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News