From 13 to 27 August 2021, a group of international experts from the World Association of Nuclear Power Plant Operators (WANO), headed by Maxim Dyrovaty, Peer Review Team Leader from the WANO Moscow Center, conducted an operational peer review.

The work of the staff was controlled by 12 WANO experts, followed the implementation of production and technological processes at all operating power units of the Novovoronezh NPP and general plant systems.  For two weeks of work, the experts reviewed the production activities of the Novovoronezh NPP in 12 functional and inter-functional areas: from repair and engineering support to radiation protection and personnel training.

The main goal of the peer review is to improve the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants by comparing operation with world best practices and criteria provided in WANO documents.  The total experience of WANO experts in the nuclear power industry was 390 years and 335 peer reviews.

 “I am glad that the long-awaited peer review of the Novovoronezh NPP took place in person.  The work was performed in the spirit of openness and cooperation, which contributed to obtaining reliable and objective results of the review of the nuclear power plant's operation,” said the head of the peer review Maxim Dyrovaty at the final meeting.

Anatoly Kirichenko, first deputy director of the WANO Moscow Center, stressed that the Novovoronezh NPP has the “spirit of WANO”, as over the past 10 years of cooperation, 47 different events have been arranged at the nuclear power plant, and technical support missions are regularly organized. All this helps the staff to take a fresh look at the operation process and see their strengths and weaknesses.  He presented Anatoly Fedorov, first deputy chief engineer of the Novovoronezh NPP, with a certificate confirming that the peer review was successful, without violations, in accordance with the rules and regulations.

At the final meeting, WANO experts noted the openness of the workers of the Novovoronezh plant, prompt and complete provision of the necessary information, interest in cooperation and constructive interaction.  Following the review, a detailed report will be made out, which will be submitted to the management of Rosenergoatom at the final meeting based on the results of the peer review of the Novovoronezh NPP.