The fuel loading at Rostov Unit 4 began on 6 December to mark the beginning of the reactor startup phase. The standard procedure of this phase includes fuel loading, initiating a controlled chain reaction, going critical, and carrying out all the required tests. During the startup phase, engineers also check operating parameters of the reactor. According to Andrei Petrov, CEO of RosEnergoAtom, expertise gained from the construction of the southernmost nuclear plant in Russia is ‘truly unique’. “This is unprecedented. The Rostov Nuclear Power Plant is the only one in modern Russia to have started up three reactors on one site in just seven years – Unit 2 in 2010, Unit 3 in 2015 and Unit 4 this time,” Petrov said.

“The reactor is coming to life this very second; its life has started. The fourth unit is breathing, operating and will soon generate its first kilowatt hours for the national power grid,” said Andrei Salnikov, Director of Rostov NPP.

In less than a week the same reactor startup process began at Unit 1 of Leningrad II. A total of 163 fuel assemblies will be loaded into the reactor core. According to Andrei Petrov, CEO of RosEnergoAtom, the beginning of the startup phase means that all construction and installation operations at the first unit of the new power plant have been completed. “The fuel loading systems are now operating automatically, and all of the operations meet the required safety standards. In just 30 days the reactor will be prepared to go critical. We will carry out necessary tests and then proceed with initiating a controlled chain reaction in full compliance with the startup procedure. The next step will be to bring the unit online. This is expected to be done next year,” he said.

Fuel has been loaded into two reactors. It means that the fuel loading process has been completed.

EXECUTIVES SPEAKING

Alexey Likhachev, Chief Executive Officer, Rosatom

“It is the first time in the history of modern Russia that two reactors – one at Leningrad II and the other at Rostov NPP – have been started up within a week. It is important to note that the two reactor startups fully meet the time schedule and project budgets. Rostov Unit 4 features a legendary, time-proven VVER-1000 reactor. Dozens of the same design reactors operate all over the world. This design was initially developed in the Soviet Union and has undergone several improvements since then. It is extremely reliable, simple and efficient and meets the latest safety standards. VVER-1000 reactors have high safety margins and a service life of several decades. But everything has its time, and today we have started up the last unit with a VVER-1000 reactor. Leningrad II Unit 1 has a different, VVER-1200 reactor belonging to the so-called Generation III+ reactors. Its innovative design incorporates time-proven engineering solutions on the one hand and the latest developments in efficiency and safety on the other. VVER-1200 is a totally new reactor that employs innovative solutions sought after in Russia and other countries. In fact, we are witnessing a change of generations in the nuclear industry, and this moment is somewhat emotional for those who work in the industry.”