On 20 January, 2018 Leningrad NPP (town of Sosnovy Bor, branch of Rosenergoatom, a part of Rosatom Electric Energy Division) reached the point of 1 trillion kWh; this is the record number for Russian Nuclear Power Plants. This amount of electric energy was given to the energy system of the country in 45 years (starting from December, 1973) by four power units of LNPP with RBMK-1000 reactors. In the history of Russian nuclear power industry such figure was documented for the first time.

“This is the unprecedented electric energy generation for our nuclear energy industry. For comparison, a total energy consumption in Russia for 2017 was 1.04 trillion kWh. In the history of our country these numbers were achieved only by two giants – Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Plant (installed capacity of 4,500 MW, operates since 1967) and Surgut Power Plant (installed capacity of 5,600 MW, operates since 1985). If compare to other countries LNPP reaches the top five NPPs of Europe by this factor. And, the NPPs that reach the highest places in top five have 6 power units”, the Director General of the operating organization – Rosenergoatom Concern Andrey Petrov noted.

In his turn, Leningrad NPP Plant Manager Vladimir Pereguda noted that “LNPP has passed a several key stages in its development: the change of the reactor physics and the implementation of new safety systems, modernization and life extension of each power unit for 15 years, and, finally, it was equipped with the special so-called post-Fukushima equipment.”

He also reminded that in the end of 2017 LNPP got the unprecedented high appraisal during the international OSART mission of the IAEA – the examination for compliance with international safety requirements. The experts particularly noted the employees’ attitude to the safety culture.

On 20 January the Administration of the town of Sosnovy Bor, veterans and the workers of new power unit of LNPP were invited to watch the moment of reaching 1 trillion kW. They watched the operation of the first and second phase shifts of LNPP and the change of the numbers at the symbolic counter.

“It is symbolic that the first trillion kWh of RBMK-1000 power units was achieved in the days of the physical start-up of the innovative power unit with water-water power reactor with capacity of 1,200. We are sure that the team of the new power units will take up the torch in the safe operation in the spirit of safety culture”, Vladimir Pereguda noted, giving the memorable pennants to the Chief Engineer of LNNP-2 Aleksandr Belyaev.

Today, Leningrad NPP power unit No 1 that was put into operation 45 years ago continues to operate reliably and safely (there were no serious incident at the plant during its operation) and the Plant is the largest manufacturer of the electric energy at the Russian North-West. Its share is 27% of the total generation. And, LNPP provides the 50% of energy consumption of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast that expand their industrial and economical potential every year.

It is to be recalled that on 8 December, 2017 the physical start-up stage of the innovative power unit No 1 of LNPP-2 (LNPP No 5) with VVER-1200 reactor of the newest 3+ generation started. Its power start-up is scheduled for the nearest future. Also, the construction of power unit No 2 of LNPP-2 continues at the site. In comparison with the previous generation, the reactors of VVER-1200 type have a number of advantages that essentially increase their economical characteristics and safety including the reactor unit with capacity increased in 20%.

Thus, there is a good reason to believe that it will be LNPP that top its own historical record, and become the leader in electric energy generation for the second time.