On November 19 at 9:30 operational services specialists successfully completed loading of fuel assemblies (FA) into the reactor core of the third power unit of the Rostov nuclear.

The very process of the physical start-up of the Rostov nuclear power plant third power unit began on November 14, 2014. Download of all 163 fuel assemblies was made using special handling machine, which established them with millimeter accuracy.

The decision to begin the start-up program was made on the basis of the inspection target by RTN, during which had been verified the willingness of technological systems and equipment facility, of personnel and operational documentation of the third power to conduct this operation.

During the start-up process physical characteristics of the core needed for operation of the reactor unit were researched.

"Now experts will check the loading of fuel assemblies. It will then assemble the reactor, after which we will proceed to hydrotesting of the first and second loop of the reactor plant. After that the second sub-step of the start-up program begins - output of the reactor at the minimum controlled power level, at which series of physical tests will be held, and this program will be completed by the physical start, "- said about the essence of the upcoming operations at the launch unit the Head of the Rostov NPP power unit ?3 start-up Victor Tereshonok.

The Rostov NPP power unit ?3 is surrendered ahead of schedule. The decision to postpone was taken by the industry and was associated with a high degree of preparedness.

The Rostovskaya nuclear power plant is a branch of JSC "Concern Rosenergoatom". The nuclear station is located on the bank of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir in 13,5 km from Volgodonsk. At nuclear station two power units with VVER-1000 reactors with an installed capacity of 1000 MWt are operated. The power unit No. 1 is put into commercial operation in 2001, the power unit No. 2 – in December, 2010. Current information about a radiation situation near the nuclear power plant in Russia and other objects of the nuclear industry is provided on a site www.russianatom.ru.