By the end of 2020, the Leningrad NPP (a branch of Rosenergoatom, JSC, Leningrad Region) fulfilled the plan for the production of isotopes by 117%.

Cobalt-60 was shipped to foreign customers from the Leningrad NPP in full. This isotope is used for sterilization of products, disinfection of products, modification of materials.

The scheduled shipment of doped silicon, molybdenum-99, iodine-125 and iodine-131 for domestic customers was carried out in a timely manner as well, with no interruptions. Molybdenum-99, which is also created at the station, is used to diagnose cancer. St. Petersburg clinics, being the main customers, carry out about 5 thousand procedures annually using molybdenum-99 produced at the Leningrad NPP.

“In December 2020, Rosenergoatom JSC approved the decision to repurpose two channels in the RBMK-1000 reactors of power units No. 3 and No. 4 of the Leningrad NPP to produce medical isotopes. This means that after the shutdown of power units No. 1 and No. 2, the Leningrad nuclear power plant will not only maintain the volume of isotope production, but also increase it. In the future, after the shutdown of NPUs No. 3 and No. 4, we will hand over the baton to our colleagues from the Smolensk and Kursk nuclear power plants," – Director of the Leningrad NPP Vladimir Pereguda said.

Let’s recall that the Leningrad NPP produces three types of isotope products:

• Cobalt-60, which is used for sterilization of products, disinfection of products, modification of materials;
• Doped silicon, which is used in power electronics, including aircraft construction, spacecraft;
• Medical isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“The Division plans to keep developing the production of isotopes, increase the volume and expand the range of production of various widely used and most demanded isotopes in the world market,” said Nikita Konstantinov, Deputy Director General of Rosenergoatom JSC, Business Development Director.

In 2020, the Program for the Development of the Isotope Business of the Electric Power Division until 2030 was put into effect, which was coordinated with the Strategic Program “Development of the Product Direction of Nuclear Medicine and Technologies” of the branch integrator: Rusatom Healthcare JSC.

Currently, power units No. 4 and No. 5 are in operation. Units No. 1 and 2 were shut down for decommissioning, No. 3 is currently in scheduled maintenance, and No. 6 is at the stage of pilot operation.