AtomEnergoMash reactors for Ostrovets

19 April 2013

Russia's AtomEnergoMash (AEM) will supply the reactor pressure vessels, reactor internals, and core catchers for two VVER-1200 units that are to be built as part of Belarus's first nuclear power plant at Ostrovets.

In total AEM noted that it will supply approximately 4000 tonnes worth of components that will be manufactured at its Atommash plant in Volgodonsk and delivered to the Ostrovets site over the period 2013-7. The internal equipment includes upper blocks, reactor shafts and reflection shields.

A $10 billion turnkey contract was finalised between Belarus and Russian state nuclear enterprise Rosatom in July 2012 for the supply of two Gidropress-designed AES-2006 model VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors. The main construction contract, however, was awarded to AtomStroyExport (ASE) back in October 2011 and site works are already underway, although first concrete has yet to be poured. Unit 1 is currently slated to begin operation in 2018 while unit 2 is due to follow in 2020.

Rosatom has described the AES-2006 as its 'reference' design due to its deployment in China at Tianwan and current construction in Russia at Novovoronezh Phase II, Leningrad Phase II - as well as at the Baltic site in Kaliningrad. AEM noted that it has completed core catchers for the Novovoronezh and Baltic units, and is currently in the process of manufacturing further reactor components for the Baltic plant.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News