During a working trip, the construction site of the Kursk NPP-2 (Electric Power Division of Rosatom) was inspected by the First Deputy General Director of the State Corporation Rosatom - President of ASE JSC Andrey Petrov and General Director of Rosenergoatom JSC Alexander Shutikov.

Managers of the Kursk NPP and contractors also took part in the inspection tour. Particular attention was paid to the main facilities of the first power unit: the reactor compartment, the turbine room, as well as the buildings of backup diesel power plants, the building for processing and storage of radioactive waste.

Moreover, a number of production meetings were held, including on the implementation of key events in 2024 for the construction of a replacement station.

The managers noted the high pace and quality of construction. “We quickly respond to foreign policy and economic changes and keep personnel issues in focus. A huge amount of work has been done and we can say that we are reaching the finish line. At the current stage, it is important for us that the equipment delivery schedules ideally correspond to the commissioning schedule - the installation of equipment must be “just-in-time”, which ensures the acceleration of construction processes,” commented Andrey Petrov.

“Rosenergoatom faces an important task - to increase the share of nuclear energy from 20 to 25% in the country’s overall energy balance. The Kursk site is of strategic importance for the sustainable development of the nuclear industry. Thus, the goal of the nearest period of construction of the replacement station is not to reduce production indicators, but to make every effort to increase them. The launch of the Kursk NPP-2 will help increase the energy potential of the region and the country as a whole, which is necessary to provide the implementation of the state plan for power generation in the coming years,” said Alexander Shutikov.

It was noted that four control events are planned this year. As of today, the first milestone of the current year has already been completed ahead of schedule: the alignment of the turbine shaft line has been completed in the turbine department of power unit No. 1.

For reference:

The Kursk NPP (Kurchatov, Kursk region) is one of the largest generating sources of electricity in the Central Russian Black Earth Region. The consumers of its electricity are 19 regions of the Center of Russia. The station includes three power units with channel reactors with a total capacity of 3 million kW. Power unit No. 1, after 45 years of service, has been in operating mode without generation since December 2021. The station's power units were connected to the country's unified energy system in 1976, 1979, 1983 and 1985. In 1994-2009, all operating power units underwent deep technical modernization. Over the years of operation, the Kursk nuclear power plant has generated over 1 trillion kWh of electricity. At the moment, the construction of power units No. 1 and No. 2 of the Kursk NPP-2 replacement station with a new type of PWR-TOI reactor is underway. Their design service life is 60 years. The capacity of each power unit increased to 1255 MW, which is 25.5% more than the power units of the existing Kursk NPP. The capacity of each power unit increased to 1255 MW, which is 25.5% more than the power units of the existing Kursk NPP.

The Russian nuclear industry has transformed from a piece manufacturer into a conveyor of nuclear technologies, a “reactor factory,” which allows Russia to occupy a leading position in the world in the export of nuclear technologies. Today, the share of power generated by nuclear power plants in Russia’s energy balance is about 20%, and by 2045 it should reach 25%. This instruction was given to the State Corporation Rosatom by the President of Russia.

The President and Government of the Russian Federation are expanding the range of measures to support domestic industry. The implementation of major projects, including in the energy sector, is accelerating. The Russian fuel and energy complex continues the planned renewal of capacities. This work is performed taking into account modern trends in digitalization and substitution of imported equipment. Rosatom and its enterprises take an active part in this work.