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Leningrad II-2 gets regulatory approval for physical start-up

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

Russia's regulator Rostechnadzor has issued a permit for the physical start-up of Leningrad II unit 2, which completed hot tests last week. The regulator's inspection of the unit "confirmed its high degree of readiness for the start of physical launch, during which nuclear fuel will be loaded into the reactor core for the first time", state nuclear corporation Rosatom said today.

Leningrad II-2 gets regulatory approval for physical start-up — Leningrad II in Sosnovy Bor (Image: Rosatom)

The commissioning of the power unit, also known as Leningrad 6, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021.

The latest regulatory inspection took two weeks and included: checking the unit's documentation, examining the facilities and equipment, monitoring the operation of technological systems, touring the workplaces of operator personnel and conducting interviews with them to assess their professional training and qualifications.

Alexander Belyaev, chief engineer of the Leningrad II plant, said activities preceding physical start-up of the VVER-1200 unit have entered the final stage. Next will be adjustment to equipment ready for the first fuel loading. "We expect to enter the phase of physical launch at the height of the summer," he said.

The existing Leningrad plant site in Sosnovy Bor has four RBMK-1000 units, while Leningrad II will have four VVER-1200 units. Leningrad unit 1 was shut down for decommissioning on 21 December last year. Leningrad II unit 1 was connected to the grid on 9 March 2018, becoming the second VVER-1200 reactor to start up, following the launch in 2016 of Novovoronezh unit 6.