The Kursk II nuclear power plant in western Russia is about to enter a crucial phase. This new plant will feature two VVER-TOI reactors, the latest version of advanced Russian light water designs. Each reactor is equipped with upgraded pressure vessels and is rated at 3300 MWt, enabling them to generate 1300 MWe gross.
Key achievements in the construction of Kursk II nuclear power plant
Construction of the first Kursk II unit began in 2018. In October 2021, the polar crane was installed and in June 2022 the reactor vessel was placed. In August 2023, the concreting of the outer dome of the first unit was completed, marking another significant achievement in the project.
[post_relacionado]Alexander Uvakin, director of the Kursk nuclear power plant, noted,“The delivery of fuel demonstrates that the VVER-TOI project has reached a key stage of construction and reflects a high degree of readiness of the first power unit.” With this delivery, hot and cold testing will begin shortly, followed by the physical commissioning phase.
State-of-the-art nuclear fuel delivered
The nuclear fuel was transported to the site by a specialized train, a crucial moment in the construction of any nuclear power plant. According to Rosatom the TVS VVER-TOI fuel was developed from the VVER-1000 and VVER-1200 reactors. This fuel cassette design offers higher fuel loading, better thermal reliability and more effective control of the reactor core, optimizing the technical and economic characteristics of the plant.
The first fuel load will include 163 fuel assemblies, each containing 313 fuel assemblies. The fuel cycle during operation will be 18 months, which promises efficient and prolonged performance.
All four units of the existing Kursk nuclear power plant are scheduled to be shut down in 2031, with the first unit closed in December 2021 after 45 years of operation. The original RBMK-1000 reactors had a design life of 30 years, which was extended an additional 15 years through life extension programs.
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Source and photo: world-nuclear-news