16.09.2019  THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT OF NOVOVORONEZH NPP

Novovoronezh NPP-2: the innovative 2nd power block has successfully undergone the final trials and is now ready for commissioning

On September 16, 2019, a 15-days’ complex equipment trial, or the so-called acceptance test, was completed at the Novovoronezh NPP-2 2nd power block (the Novovoronezh NPP 7th power block).

The new innovative 3+ generation VVER-1200 reactor power block has perfectly handled a load at 100% of its capacity during the whole trial period.

‘We have completed the acceptance test of the new power block strictly according to the schedule. The results of the complex trial testify that the equipment and all systems work in a safe and reliable fashion. As of now, the power block is ready for commissioning and bearing steady-state load as designed’, Vladimir Povarov, the Novovoronezh NPP director, stressed.

It is important to note that on May 1, 2019, the 2nd innovative power block of the Novovoronezh NPP-2 was connected to the Unified Energy System of Russia for the first time. During the 4.5 months, it has successfully reached its capacity marks at every stage of the power start-up and the trial operation.

The team of experts has conducted hundreds of various tests, verification, and pre-commissioning operations. All those were the final stage of the trial operation, which powers the next stage, that is, commissioning of the new power block.

Now, the new final block along with the startup facilities are to be presented to the Acceptance commission and the Rostekhnadzor commission, and the final license for the Novovoronezh NPP-2 2nd power block’s operational launch will be issued by the Rosatom State Corporation.

‘Since the power start-up, we have been conducting trials aimed at confirming that the power block’s equipment can handle all modes that might come up as a part of its operation throughout its entire life span, which is 60 years for our power block. The key milestone for obtaining the operational license is early November. We hope to achieve this deadline, and we are working hard for it to come true’, Igor Gusev, the deputy chief engineer of the Novovoronezh NPP 4th extension operation, said.

The operational launch of the Novovoronezh NPP-2 2nd power block will increase the total capacity of the Novovoronezh NPP by 1.5 times, which will significantly spur the economic development of the Voronezh region, grow the gross regional product and, according to some estimates, contribute over 1 billion rubles into the regional budget in the form of property tax as early as in 2020.

Novovoronezh NPP is a branch of Rosenergoatom JSC (a part of the largest Division of Rosatom State Corporation – Electric Power Division). The Plant is situated on the River Don bank 42 km South of Voronezh. This is the first NPP of Russia with VVER type reactors (Water-Water Power Reactors of containment type with water under pressure). Three reactors of the Plant are the main ones – the prototypes of the serial power reactors. The first power unit was commissioned in 1964, the second one - in 1969, the third one – in 1971, the fourth one – in 1972, and the fifth one – in 1980. 

The power units No 1 and No 2 were shut down in 1984 and 1990, respectively. The power unit No 3 was shut down in 2016 for the decommissioning events. The power unit No 4 was shut down for modernization works. The power unit No 1 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 was commissioned on 27 February, 2017. The power unit No 2 is in the stage of commissioning works. 

The latest information about radiation situation near Russian NPPS and other nuclear power facilities can be seen at www.russianatom.ru 


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