On January 15 at 3:30 pm, Moscow time, the newly launched VVER-1200 power unit No. 6 of the Leningrad NPP generated its first billion kWh of electricity from the moment it was synchronized with the power grid of Northwest Russia. The first significant production result was achieved at the final stage of pilot operation.

“The power unit has operated successfully at various power levels for 85 days now,” Aleksandr Belyaev, chief engineer of Leningrad NPP-2, noted. “During this time, a whole range of tests and checks was performed at 40%, 50%, 75%, 90% of power, which confirmed the reliable, efficient, and most importantly, safe operation of the unit in various operating conditions. We are currently doing tests at a power level of 100%, and the NPU is providing almost 75% of the heat energy produced by the Leningrad NPP. Let me note that the first billion kWh, while definitely being important, is also a natural and expected event for us. It indicates that the power unit is on the finish line and is fully ready to fulfill its main task: the generation of electrical and thermal energy, which will allow further implementation of a number of large regional investment projects that require significant energy consumption in the North-West of Russia. This also goes to show that the Leningrad NPP remains the most powerful nuclear power plant in the country.

After the pilot operation is completed, the power unit will undergo an inspection by the state commission and consequently shut down for equipment revision and pre-commissioning. The commissioning of power unit No. 6 into commercial operation is scheduled for March 2021.