A repeat Peer Review of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) has been completed at Balakovo NPP. Russian experts have assessed to what extent the nuclear plant provided the implementation of remedial actions elaborated following the results of the Peer Review in 2015.

In addition, the efficiency of the technical support mission on the topic “Organization and functioning of systems engineering in NPP’s engineer support services” has been assessed. It took place at Balakovo NPP in February-March 2016.

During five work days the experts have been monitoring, working with the documents, interviewing the personnel, making walkabouts of the equipment and systems of the NPP.

“The repeat Peer Review appeared useful both for plant’s personnel, and expert team”, the Head of Peer Review program (PRP) of the WANO Moscow Centre Anatoliy Zinchenko – who was the head of the expert team – noted. “These few days we have been learning from each other. It was pleasant to work with the professionals in the atmosphere of openness that promoted fast decision-making and efficiency of the Review.”


Anatoliy Zinchenko also emphasized that each new review of WANO gives the plants an opportunity to grow and develop, support the process of constant improving. “The practices that were considered achievements yesterday are considered the standard today. That is why with every new visit to NPP the experts find out new areas that can be improved. This allows the plant to move forward”, he said.

The Chief Engineer of Balakovo NPP Oleg Romanenko noted the importance of Peer Reviews; he thanked the experts for their attention to details that can’t always be noticed due to everyday production concerns. “We will certainly benefit from the repeat Peer Review. Once again it has shown that one can’t be satisfied with what has already been achieved – there is always something that can be improved in nuclear power plant’s work in order to provide its more reliable and safe operation.”

At the concluding meeting the expert team has reported about the results of the repeat Peer Review. The experts have noted that the plant has fulfilled significant amount of work in improving the operational activity in different directions. In conclusion of the RPR at Balakovo NPP the preliminary report was handed over to the Chief Engineer Oleg Romanenko.
The next WANO Peer Review at Balakovo NPP will take place in 2019.

The Balakovo NPP is an affiliate for the Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC. The plant is located on the left bank of the Saratov water reservoir, 10 kilometers to the north-east from the city of Balakovo, the Saratov Region. The NPP has four power block with modern VVER-1000 reactors (B-320 modification) boasting an electric capacity of 100 megawatts each. The first power block was launched operational in 1985, with the second, the third, and the fourth one being started in 1987, 1988, and 1993 respectively. The Balakovo NPP is one of the biggest and most contemporary power companies in Russia accounting for 25% of the electric power output in the Volga federal district, which caters to the population of the Volga region, the Central region, the Ural, and the Siberia.

The up-to-date information on the nuclear environment close to the Russian NOOs and other nuclear objects is available at www.russianatom.ru


The Balakovo NPP Information and Public Relations Administration.