The Russian Federation ranks second among European countries (after France) in terms of nuclear generation capacity. The share of this type of energy in the total production of Russian energy systems in 2020 amounted to more than 20%. In order to manage all the assets related to this industry, the state corporation Rosatom was created in 2007 in our country. In this article we will try to talk about the largest Russian projects in the field of nuclear energy.
At present, the nuclear industry of the Russian Federation is a powerful complex of more than 350 enterprises and organizations employing more than 250,000 people. At the beginning of this year, 11 nuclear power plants are operating in Russia, they produce about 220 billion kWh. In terms of the pace of development, the domestic nuclear power industry is second only to China, but in the PRC it is Rosatom that plays an important role in the development and construction of many nuclear power plants.
The further development of nuclear energy in the country is associated with the commissioning of new power units. Thus, between 2006 and 2010, construction work began at five nuclear power plants, which has so far led to the creation of eight new units. Also in 2010, the Baltic Nuclear Power Plant was established, the Kaliningrad region was supposed to be its location. It was to include two VVER-1200 power units, its construction, together with all related infrastructure, was estimated at 6.23 billion euros. In 2018, all work on the creation of the station was officially suspended due to the lack of a sufficient number of electricity consumers, there was an idea that various European states would become them. In addition, in 2020, a floating nuclear thermal power plant (FNPP) of project 20870 “Akademik Lomonosov”, under construction since 2007, was put into operation.
Russia’s energy strategy for the period up to 2030, which was adopted in 2009, provides for an increase in electricity production at nuclear power plants to 356-437 billion kWh per year. So, at the moment, active construction work is underway in Russia on several such objects:
- Kursk NPP – 2 This plant is being built to replace four decommissioned generator sets of the operating Kursk NPP, due to the depletion of their resources (in 2021, the first of them was been decommissioned). The last one should close in 2030. The new power plant project includes four VVER-TOI type reactors. Last year, the reactor vessel of power unit No. 1 of the Kursk-2 nuclear power plant was brought to the design position. In addition, the construction of an evaporative cooling tower with a height of 179 meters was completed, which became the highest in our country. It is assumed that the last of the planned power units will be commissioned by 2029.
- Leningrad nuclear power plant – 2 The appearance of this power plant is associated with the gradual dismantling of four power units of the Leningrad nuclear power plant. The launch of the first power unit and its inclusion in the unified energy system of Russia took place on March 9, 2018, the second on October 22, 2020. Last summer, preparatory work began at the construction site of 3 units and 4. The commissioning of two new power units is planned for 2030 and 2032, respectively.
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“BREST-OD – 300” in Seversk (Tomsk region) As part of this project, a nuclear power plant with an innovative fast neutron reactor “BREST-OD – 300” is being built. As the facility is built, a nuclear power plant with a fast neutron reactor and an on-site closed nuclear fuel cycle should appear at the site selected during the design. Rosatom plans to launch a new power unit in 2029.
In addition to the projects already underway, in order to maintain and increase nuclear production capacity, the general development of the electricity fleet until 2035 provides for the construction of 7 additional units. We are talking about work at the following facilities: Kola NPP – 2, Smolensk NPP – 2, Nizhny Novgorod NPP, Beloyarsk NPP and Central NPP.
In addition to this, Rosatom implements its own projects abroad. Currently, work is underway at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. The new plant will consist of four power units with modern VVER-120 reactors with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts. The Kudankulam nuclear power plant in India is being built as part of the implementation of an interstate agreement; at the moment, two of the six planned units are connected to the electrical system. In 2014, Rosatom and the Hungarian company MVM signed a contract for the construction of new units of the Paks nuclear power plant. Preparatory work is currently underway on site. In Bangladesh, according to the Russian project, the construction of two generators at the Rooppur nuclear power plant is underway. In China, the Tianwan nuclear power plant has already been partially commissioned, two more power plants are to be connected, this plant is an example of the largest Russian-Chinese economic cooperation. Furthermore, Rosatom will also participate in the construction of the Xudapu nuclear power plant, where preparatory work is currently underway. The Russian side is also involved in the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Egypt. The El Dabaa nuclear power plant will have four VVER-1200 power units, the planned commissioning of the installation is 2026.
In summary, I would like to point out that nuclear energy has both advantages and disadvantages. Power plants of this type are characterized by a relatively low level of consumption of raw materials, while generating incomparably more electricity than conventional electrical installations. Despite this, the example of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is alive in the minds of many people, which makes them rather skeptical of nuclear energy. So, in Italy, after a referendum held at the end of the last century, they decided to completely abandon nuclear energy. Germany, Taiwan and Belgium are trying to follow a similar path. It must be recognized that for a long time the construction of nuclear power plants will be the subject of active disputes between supporters of conventional and “green” energy.
Author: Victor Anufriev
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