On 3 December, 2018, the Rostekhnadzor commission at Novovoronezh NPP-2 began work on checking the readiness of the innovative power unit No 2 (No 7 of NV NPP) of the generation 3+ for the physical start-up phase.

“The team of Novovoronezh NPP specialists will actively participate in the verification of readiness for the physical start-up of the new generation 3+ power unit in three areas: production, documentation, and personnel. We have already worked with the Plant’s specialists during the inspection of the power unit No 1 of NV NPP-2, so we expect to use the experience gained”, the Deputy Head of the Directorate for NPP and RRF Safety of Rostekhnadzor Vladislav Manakov said.

The inspection will last two working weeks and will end on 14 December. The Commission will work through a significant amount of documents: acts of commissioning buildings and premises of the launch facility, acts of working commissions on the readiness of technological systems and equipment of the power unit, test reports of safety systems and safety related systems, documents confirming the scope of tests and inspections, etc. Special attention will be paid to issues of NPP personnel professional training and qualification.

Based on the results of testing the readiness of power unit No 2 of NV NPP-2 for the physical start-up phase, the Act and a plan of measures will be drawn up, after which a License for operating a nuclear facility will be obtained.

Innovative power units of the generation 3+ have improved technical and economic indicators that ensure absolute safety during operation. They use the most advanced achievements and developments. The main feature of the VVER-1200 project is a unique combination of active and passive safety systems that make the Plant as resistant as possible to external and internal influences. A characteristic feature of passive systems is their ability to work in an absence of power or operator participation. In particular, at the unit with the VVER-1200 reactor are used: melt trap, a device that serves to localize the core melt in the reactor; passive heat removal system through steam generators (SPOT), designed to ensure long-term removal of heat from the core into the atmosphere in the absence of power, etc.