On May 18, 2017, the most important stage of commissioning works has started at Leningrad NPP-2 power unit No 1 under construction – the overall tests of emergency diesel generator systems intended for auxiliary power supply for the plant in case of abnormal situations.

As the part of the tests, the first of the four diesel-generator sets (DGS) was launched and synchronized with the grid. Thus, the power unit generated its first megawatts of electric energy to a united power grid. This event was reported to the media by the Director General of Rosenergoatom Concern Andrey Petrov.

Nikolay Shestakov, the Deputy General Director and Director of the Kalininatomtekhenergo branch company, explained, “During the tests, the sets will be loaded with 25 to 110% of its possible capacity. The specialists will test the DGS in various modes to confirm their design characteristics, adjust and check them in operation. This is one of the most significant and determining stages in preparing the unit for physical start-up, which cannot be done without full readiness of emergency power systems.”


For the first day of operation, the diesel generator set produced about ten megawatts of electric energy; and in the future it will work non-stop under load for 72 hours. After the tests, it will be put in standby mode, and in case of an abnormal situation it will provide power supply with all the main technological equipment for transferring the reactor unit to a safe state. Both power units are equipped with these DGS, with 4 sets for each unit.

Within the framework of the pilot project expanded team meeting – named “The construction of Leningrad NPP” – held on the same day at the site of new power units, the General Director of the Concern set the task to ensure full readiness for the reactor unit hot trials by the end of June. This technological operation directly affects the terms of the physical start-up of the VVER-1200 power unit No 1.

The purpose of the hot trials is a complete check of the reactor building systems operability in design and operating modes. To carry out this stage a number of serious operations are required: hydraulic tests of the second circuit, tests of the automated process control system, trials of the last of four main circulation pumps in cold water, systems tests of the safety systems, etc. Among other key directions there are auxiliary power supply from the Kingiseppskaya overhead power line, readiness of the turbine unit to be installed at the turning gear and tested with the vacuum buildup.

“The first power unit physical start-up is the national-level task, the most important event of this year, not only for the Concern and Rosatom, but also for the entire country”, Andrey Petrov said to the meeting participants, “and it must be carried out within the deadline.”

The Leningrad NPP is an affiliate company for Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC. The plant is based in the city of Sosnovy Bor, 40 km to the west from Saint Petersburg at the Gulf of Finland shore. The Leningrad NPP is the first Russian nuclear power plant having RBMK-1000 reactors (uranium-graphite channel-type thermal neutron reactors). The NPP exploits 4 power blocks with the electric capacity of 1000 megawatt each. Also, pursuant to the NPP-2006 project, 1,2 VVER-1200 power blocks included into The State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM long-term plan are being constructed. Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC is the owner and developer of the project. Holding TITAN-2 is the primary contractor. ATOMPROEKT is the general designer.


Leningrad  NPP Information and Public Relations Administration.