Путин The key operation for the construction of a new unit was launched via video link by Russian President Vladimir Putin

At the construction site of new power units of the Leningrad NPP (branch of Rosenergoatom, Electric Power Division of the State Corporation Rosatom), the first concrete was laid in the foundation of the reactor building of power unit No. 7 with the PWR-1200 reactor. This historic event marks the beginning of the main phase of construction of new power units, which will provide the country with clean energy for at least 60 years.

Speaking about the prospects for the development of the domestic nuclear industry, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted: “By 2045, the share of nuclear generation in Russia’s overall energy balance will be increased to 25%. The construction of a new efficient power unit at the Leningrad NPP will be a good contribution to this work. Its launch will improve the energy security of the entire North-West region of Russia and will provide consumers with more environmentally friendly, clean electricity for years to come.”

The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant has been reliably providing the region with affordable and safe electricity for more than half a century: now its share in the balance of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region is 55%, in the balance of the entire Northwestern Federal District - about 28.5%.

Commenting on the significant event, Governor of the Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko noted: “Thanks to the work of the nuclear power plant and its contribution to the consolidated budget of the Leningrad Region, thousands of industrial enterprises and social facilities are operating, houses, bridges, roads are being built, large regional investment projects are being implemented, jobs are appearing, and significant funds for healthcare, education, social support of the population. Power units No. 7 and 8 of the Leningrad NPP, which will replace units No. 3 and 4, will allow maintaining electricity production for the needs of the region, guaranteeing not only the energy stability of the Leningrad region, but also its confident movement forward.”

According to the General Director of the Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev, starting the construction of Unit 7 of the Leningrad NPP, Rosatom is embarking on a new stage in fulfilling the President’s task of increasing the share of nuclear energy in the energy balance to 25% by 2045.

“We are now building two units of the second stage of the Kursk NPP. They are already at a high level of readiness - this year we will reach the stage of physical launch of the 1st unit. In addition to the Leningrad NPP, replacement units will also be built at the Smolensk and Kola nuclear power plants. The further development of nuclear generation in Russia involves entering new sites. We will significantly increase nuclear generation in the Urals and expand to Siberia and the Far East, where the largest increase in consumption is predicted,” said the head of Rosatom.

Work on concreting the foundation of the reactor building of power unit No. 7 of the Leningrad NPP, the quality of which determines the strength and durability of the building, the integrity of its building structures, as well as the reliability of the further operation of the reactor systems and equipment, will be carried out 24/7. To concrete a slab of 2,100 square meters. meters, builders will need almost 5.5 thousand cubic meters of concrete mixture.

The entire foundation of the reactor building of power unit No. 7 of the Leningrad NPP will be ready this summer. After this, the construction of the internal and external containment shells of the reactor building, the construction of floors and the installation of equipment will begin.

For reference:

The Leningrad NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Russia in terms of installed capacity of 4,400 MW. 4 RBMK-1000 units and 2 PWR-1200 units are operated here. Units 1 and 2 of the RBMK-1000 have been shut down for decommissioning after 45 years of service. They were replaced by two PWR-1200 units in 2018 and 2021. The design service life is 60 years with the possibility of extension for another 20 years.

Two more new power units No. 7 and No. 8 VVER-1200 of the Leningrad NPP. They will become the replacement capacities of power unit No. 3 and No. 4 of RBMK-1000. The annual production of each PWR-1200 power unit will be more than 8.5 billion kWh of electricity. This will make it possible not only to guarantee the provision of light and heat to the residents of the region but also to successfully continue the implementation of large regional investment projects. Also, the new phase of the nuclear power plant is guaranteed to provide jobs for almost two thousand people.

The general contractor for the construction of power units No. 7 and No. 8 of the Leningrad NPP is JSC TITAN-2. 

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 fuel and energy complex has been and remains one of the most important components of the Russian economy, influencing the development of other industries. The President and Government of the Russian Federation set goals for its development in order to strengthen the country’s production and technological potential and improve the quality of life of Russian citizens. Rosatom and its enterprises take an active part in this work.