Hungary. Having traveled 3,200 km in 48 days, the core catcher arrived from Volgodonsk, Russia at the construction site of Hungary’s new nuclear power plant, Paks II. “The foundation for safe and reliable operation of the country’s new nuclear station is laid long before it is connected to the grid. We are doing our best so that late this year or early next year we can go ahead with the construction of power units and subsequent installation of the core catcher, an essential part of the station’s safety system,” said AtomStroyExport Vice President and Paks II construction project director Vitaly Polyanin.

Currently, soil stabilization operations are underway on the construction site to prepare it for excavations to the pre-designed depth of 23 meters. “We are increasing the pace of work on the site and at the construction yard. There are 900 workers engaged in on-site activities,” said Gergely Jákli, Chairman and CEO of Paks II Zrt.