News
20.06.2022

Hungary. On 10 June 2022, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority issued a licence for the Paks II NPP project to start the soil stabilisation of the nuclear power plant construction site. The purpose of this work is to ensure the required bearing capacity of the soils at the base of the future buildings and structures of the plant. Soil stabilisation is necessary for the transition to the construction of the power units themselves. In addition to the soil stabilisation licence, permission was also granted for the construction of three warehouses and two storage areas. The Paks II NPP project provides for the construction of two units with VVER-1200 reactors. Today, the only Hungarian nuclear power plant Paks with four VVER-440 reactors, built according to the Soviet project, generates almost half of all electricity in the country.

Russia. VVER-TOI reactor vessel of the first power unit was installed at Kursk II NPP in Russia. It weighs 340 tons and is made of nickel-free steel, which does not change its properties under the influence of radiation and high temperatures. Kursk II NPP will replace Kursk NPP units 1,2. The installed capacity of the VVER-TOI is 1255 MW, which is 25% higher than the one of VVER-1000, while the service life of the main equipment has been doubled. Another difference between VVER-TOI and the technology of the previous generation is the reduction in the cost and construction time, as well as operating costs. The design combines active and passive safety systems.

India. Rosatom began deliveries of new nuclear fuel for the Kudankulam NPP in India. Compared to UTVS fuel, which was previously supplied to Kudankulam, TVS-2M fuel assemblies have a number of advantages. Firstly, the rigidity of the structure, and secondly, the increased uranium consumption: one TVS-2M fuel assembly contains 7.6% more fuel. “We offer foreign customers solutions that have been successfully tested in the Russian nuclear power industry. TVS-2M fuel is effectively operated in the 18-month fuel cycle at Balakovo and Rostov NPPs, as well as at the operating power units of the Tianwan NPP in China,” said Alexander Ugryumov, Senior Vice President for Science and Technology at Rosatom fuel division.