Russian nuclear watchdog issues license for operating Leningrad NPP's unit 3 until 2030

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb 3 (Interfax) - Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant (LNPP), a subsidiary of Rosenergoatom Concern, has received a license from the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor) to operate its third power unit until 2030, the plant's communications department said.

"The assessment of the power unit's technical condition allowed us to conclude that it can be operated for up to 50 years," it said.

The decision to issue the license was made after a comprehensive analysis and inspection of unit 3's equipment and documentation by Rostekhnadzor to ensure compliance with current safety and reliability standards, as well as the implementation of modernization measures, the replacement of worn-out elements and the technical inspection of equipment.

"Earlier, following modernization, the operational lifespan of the third unit was extended by 15 years. Extending operating units' lifespans is a global practice. This is a completely understandable process for any company that takes its development and renewal seriously," the department said.

Since its launch in 1979, unit 3 has generated over 290 billion kWh of electricity.

Currently, a set of documents has also been submitted as part of a licensing application to Rostekhnadzor for operating the power plant's RBMK reactor unit 4 until 2030.

The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is the largest operating nuclear power plant in Russia by installed capacity, located in the town of Sosnovy Bor in the Leningrad region. It is the only plant in Russia where two different types of reactors are in operation - channel-type uranium-graphite RBMK and water-water VVER reactors. The station consists of six units, of which four (two RBMKs and two VVERs) are operational. The first unit (RBMK-1000) was shut down for decommissioning in 2018 after 45 years of operation, and the second (RBMK-1000) was shut down in 2020.

In March 2024, LNPP began the main phase of construction for the seventh VVER-1200 unit. Along with unit 8, for which a construction contract was signed in 2022, these will eventually serve as replacement capacities for the RBMK-1000 units 3 and 4.