Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant is one of the 10 nuclear power plants of Russia. It has a capacity of 3000MW and is part of "Rosenergoatom" Concern. It is one of the biggest power generating companies of the united energy system of Russia. It produces almost 15% of the total electricity produced in the North-Western region of the Russian Federation. It covers the needs of not only Smolensk but also neighboring Kaluga and Bryansk regions.

The share of Smolensk NPP in the energy balance of Smolensk region amounts to 90%.

In 2001 Smolensk NPP produced 20bln KWh of 135bln KWh produced by all the Russian NPPs.

In 2002 the plant marked its 20^th anniversary.

The first unit of Smolensk NPP was commissioned on Dec 25 1982 but the history of the plant started much earlier, when in 1966 the Supreme Council of the USSR approved the recommendation of Energoselproekt research institute to build a nuclear power plant in Smolensk region.

The 2^nd unit of the plant was launched in 1986, the third one in 1990.

Smolensk NPP offers Smolensk region thrice as much as it needs. As a result, the region imports energy to other regions. Today, each resident of Smolensk region receives 20,000 KW a year, which is four times as much as the average index in Russia and almost as much as in France and Germany.

Since its launch Smolensk NPP has generated over 320bln KWh. All the units have operated safely and efficiently. For many years the plant was one of the best in Russia. In 1992 and 1992 it was proclaimed the best. In 1999 it was in the top three. High safety culture, constant reconstruction and modernization, use of advanced national and international operation and maintenance experience, consistent personnel and social policies have ensured the high efficiency of Smolensk NPP and the healthy moral and psychological climate among its personnel.

The key goal of a nuclear power plant is to reduce the risk of incidents that may have negative effect on the personnel and the environment. All the measures provided for by the safety enhancement concept of "Rosenergoatom" Concern are aimed at reducing the risk of incidents at the REA NPPs. The safety declaration of Smolensk NPP says that the plant seeks to become the safest NPP in Russia.

And the plant works hard towards this end. All the units have been equipped with modern emergency response systems preventing release of radiation even in case of very serious accidents, such as break of the pipes of the reactor cooling system. All the equipment of the reactor cooling system is placed in hermetic boxes made of reinforced concrete and able to stand pressure of 4.5 gms/cm2. The emergency response system has a special steam condenser with 3000 m2 of water. Smolensk NPP has special systems that will be able to remove heat from the reactor even in case of the plant’s complete deenergization.

In order to ensure the safety of Smolensk NPP, the repair service of the plant has carried out measures for its modernization and technical re-equipment. From Aug 200 till Apr 2001 the plant overhauled its 1 st unit: the personnel replaced 276 assembly channels, carried out supersonic testing of 100 channels and measured the diameters of 1,358 channels. The overhauled was completed 25 days ahead of schedule due to high efficiency based on the relevant experience of Leningrad and Kursk NPPs and new methods of planning and organization of mass substitution of assembly channels.

Due to reduced repair period, the plant generated additional amount of electricity.