The innovative 3+ generation 2nd power block of the Novovoronezh NPP-2 (a subsidiary of the Rosenergoatom Joint-Stock Company, a part of the Electric power division of the Rosatom State Corporation) running a VVER-1200 reactor has reached 50% of its capacity.

That said, the first sub-stage of the new power block’s low-power testing by way of pilot production has been completed. The pilot production is the last stage preceding the operational launch of the power block.

The pilot production is a part of a set of work on the operational launch of the Novovoronezh NPP-2 2nd power block, which comprises four sub-stages: reaching 50% of the capacity (sub-stage 1); reaching 75% of the capacity (sub-stage 2); reaching the designated capacity (sub-stage 3: includes trial runs at 90% and 100% of the capacity); a comprehensive equipment test (acceptance test) over the whole power block and its commissioning (sub-stage 4). After each capacity milestone is achieved, scheduled trials with load relief are carried out. The works adhere to the plan, there has been no deviations so far.

‘The pilot production will be completed following successful trials at all capacity milestones, including the designated one (100%), and the acceptance tests for the power block. After that, Rostekhnadzor will verify the compliance of the power block with its design and issue an appropriate resolution. We plan to commission the new power block late 2019’, Vladimir Kazanskiy, the deputy chief engineer of new power blocks construction, said.

It is important to note that the first electric hook-up for the 2nd Novovoronezh NPP-2 power block (power start-up) took place on May 1, 2019. The Novovoronezh NPP obtained the Rostekhnadzor license for commissioning the 2nd power block into pilot operation on June 3, 2019, which was followed by equipment trials at different modes.