Power unit no. 1 of Kursk NPP-2 passes tests, ready for commissioning

KURSK. April 21 (Interfax) - Power unit no. 1 of the Kursk NPP-2 with a VVER-TOI reactor has completed a full cycle of tests and is ready for industrial commissioning, the communications department of the nuclear power plant said.

"The most modern power unit in Russia with a VVER-TOI reactor has completed a full cycle of tests - all systems and equipment have confirmed their design parameters. Commissioning work has been completed, the next stage is a final inspection by Rostekhnadzor [the Federal Service for the Supervision of Environment, Technology and Nuclear Management] and the transition to operation," the department said.

It was previously reported that in March, the first power unit of the second phase of the Kursk NPP, which is at the stage of pilot industrial operation, was brought to 100% capacity. This marks the final stage of commissioning of power unit no. 1 of the Kursk NPP-2.

The design annual electricity generation of the two-unit Kursk NPP-2 is 19.5 billion kWh. In total, the national project at Kursk NPP-2 provides for the construction of four VVER-TOI power units to replace the power units with RBMK-1000 reactors. The total capacity of the plant will increase 20%.

The construction of VVER-TOI power units no. 1-4 of the Kursk NPP-2 is included in the general scheme for the placement of electricity facilities in Russia until 2042, approved by the Russian government in December 2024. In total, during this period, 38 new power units are to be built in Russia, including projects in seven new regions.