On March 14, 2023, a round table meeting was held as part of public discussions of the materials for substantiating the license to carry out activities in the sphere of the use of atomic energy "Location of power unit No. 3 of the Kursk NPP-2", including preliminary materials for the environmental impact assessment of power unit No. 3, and public discussions of materials substantiating the license to carry out activities in the sphere of the use of atomic energy "Location of power unit No. 4 of the Kursk NPP-2", including preliminary materials for the environmental impact assessment of power unit No. 4.

Any interested person could get acquainted with materials of public discussions, since February 13.

The round table discussed issues of safety of placement of power unit No. 3 and No. 4 of the Kursk NPP-2 for the environment and public health. The meeting was attended by experts from the Kursk NPP, the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kursk Region, the medical unit No. 125 of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, and representatives of the Department of Occupational Health and the Environment of Southwestern State University.

“In the design of power units of the Kursk NPP-2 with PWR-TOI, all safety aspects have been worked out in detail. They are solved at a new, higher technical and technological level, with increased levels of safety and efficiency, - said Andrey Osharin, first deputy director for the construction of new units. - The most advanced safety systems are used at each of the PWR-TOI power units, which operate under all external influences taken into account in the design. The assessment of the impact on the environment of the operation of power unit No. 3 and No. 4 was carried out for all types of impact - radiation, chemical, thermal, electromagnetic, acoustic. Estimated estimates of the expected impact on the environment, the results of which are presented in the preliminary materials submitted for public discussion, show the unconditional admissibility of the impact level of the Kursk NPP-2 in all modes of operation.”

Public discussions were supervised by the Supervisory Board, which included representatives of the Southwestern State University and the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kursk Region. In the conclusion of the Supervisory Board, which was announced at a meeting of the working group summing up the results of public discussions, Diana Ponkratova, head of the environmental protection department of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kursk Region, noted that the event was held in accordance with the regulations, the population was properly informed about the object of public discussions. Besides, Diana Alexandrovna emphasized that the materials and reports submitted for public discussions ensured a comprehensive consideration of the issues of the upcoming placement of power units No. 3 and No. 4 of the Kursk NPP-2.

“The construction of power unit No. 3 and No. 4 of the Kursk NPP-2 means that the course of our state towards the development of the regions remains unchanged. Now, as you know, power unit No. 1 and No. 2 are being built. The newest power units on the Kursk land will be, as before, four. But they will be more powerful, they will generate 25 percent more electricity. And this will allow us to further develop industry and the economy as a whole, which requires more and more energy, - said Mikhail Aksenov, Minister of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship of the Kursk Region. – Already by 2027, according to our forecasts, electricity consumption in the energy system of the Kursk region will increase by more than 8% compared to this year. To provide the growth of consumption in the future, it is necessary to develop the Kursk NPP. There have not been other ways to meet the needs of the economy in electricity in our region.”

Any interested participant of the "round table" could express their opinion in the discussion and get clarification on all issues. The meeting was also broadcast online on the platform of the official group of the administration of the city of Kurchatov, Kursk Region, on the social network.

Public representatives who took part in the round table supported the construction of new power unit No. 3 and No. 4 of the replacement station, making sure that the construction of facilities meets safety requirements, including environmental ones.

Based on the results of public discussions, the materials for substantiating the license in the sphere of the use of atomic energy, including preliminary environmental impact assessment materials, will be finalized and submitted for state environmental review.

Public discussions are a mandatory procedure enshrined in Russian legislation. It is performed before the documents are sent for state examination and to Rostekhnadzor, which issues a license to conduct activities in the sphere of the use of atomic energy.

At the moment, the electric power industry, including nuclear, demonstrates high responsibility, efficiency and sustainability. The industry is successfully adapting to new conditions and changes taking place in the global market. One of the main priorities remains to ensure steady, stable economic growth, economic security of the country, as well as uninterrupted supply of enterprises and regions. Today, the energy infrastructure guarantees the economic stability of the country, as well as the uninterrupted supply of public services to citizens.

Now power units Nos. 3 and 4 are in operation at the Kursk NPP. They operate at the capacity set by the dispatch schedule. Power unit No. 2 is under scheduled repair. Power unit No. 1 is in operation without generation. The radiation background at the nuclear power plant and in the area of its location is at a level corresponding to the normal operation of power units, and does not exceed natural background values.

Operational information on the radiation situation next to Russian NPPs and other facilities of the nuclear industry is available on the website www.russianatom.ru.