On December 25, 2019, the Federal Service for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) issued a license to the Bilibino NPP for the extension of the 2nd power block’s operation until December 31, 2025. That said, it will remain in service for another six years supplying electricity to the region.

This event became the highlight of many months of work dedicated by the whole team of the NPP: when getting ready for the extension, they undertook a number of activities at the 2nd power block, specifically with regard to keeping high safety standards.

It is important to note that the 2nd power block was launched on December 22, 1974. In 2004, its life span was already extended for 15 years. That said, its total number of years in service will be 51 instead of the 30 years as originally planned.

The team is currently working on extending the life span of the 3rd and the 4th power blocks of the Bilibino NPP.

The extension of the operating NPP power blocks’ lifespan is an effective best practice used worldwide. Keeping the existing park of reactor facilities is crucial for having enough time to prepare for the construction of the replacement capacities. Since 2001, the lifespan of 27 Russian power blocks has been extended. Three of them have already exhausted their prolonged lifespan and are now being prepared for decommissioning.

The Bilibino NPP is a unique facility in the middle of Chukotka serving the regional ore and gold mining enterprises. It operates within an isolated power grid at the controlled load mode. As of now, the Bilibino NPP accounts for 80% of all electric power produced in the isolated Chauny-Bilibino hub and acts as a primary source of heat for the Bilibino city.

Additionally, on December 19, 2019, the floating nuclear power plant delivered its first electric power into the isolated network of the Chauny-Bilibino hub. That said, this was the first time in the national history of the nuclear power industry when two running NPPs were located in the same federal subject. The floating power plant is supposed to replace the capacities of the Bilibino NPP and the coal-running Chaun thermal power plant.

As of now, there has been no violations of limits and standards of safe operation at the Bilibino NPP power blocks. The 2nd, the 3rd and the 4th power blocks are in service. The operations schedule is being adhered to.