Kurchatov residents mark jubilee of Kursk NPP

20.12.2006 // REGNUM

The 30th anniversary of Kursk NPP was marked in the town of Kuchatov on Dec 19

The 1st unit of the RBMK NPP in Kursk was launched on Dec 19, 1976, at 9:34 PM. The decision on the construction of the Kursk NPP was made in 1966. A year later 1,200 workers started the project 40 km away from the town of Kurchatov. They also build a village that was named after the well-known Soviet physic Igor Kurchatov.

The first figures of the town and the region, the managers of KNPP and some other NPPs, Rosatom and other officials took part in the celebrations. Deputy Head of Rosatom Andrey Malyshev read out Sergey Kiriyenko’s message of congratulation. IN his message, Kiriyenko noted the high  professionalism of the KNPP personnel and their contribution to the stable operation of the plant. He said that they will certainly cope with the Government’s task to increase nuclear power capacities. Malychev added that the KNPP is the pioneer in NPP modernization.

It should be noted that the service period of the KNPP is exactly 30 years, but the local personnel have successfully modernized the 1st unit of the plant and are now upgrading the remaining units. The Leningradskaya NPP has followed their successful example.

During the ceremony Director of the KNPP Yuri Slepokon got a license for the plant’s prolonged operation till 2016. Such a decision was made by the Federal Service for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Control. Malyshev noted that during the Dec 13 State Duma meeting Sergey Kiriyenko spoke about resuming the construction of the 5th unit of the KNPP. He told the MPs that Rosatom does not object to this project, on the contrary, the launch of the unit will give the Central Region of Russia necessary power capacities for developing its industry and housing fund. Malyshev said that Rosatom has not yet agreed with RAO UES on power capacity distribution. However, a Master Plan for Nuclear Power Sector Development will be ready by Apr 1 2007 and Rosatom plans to include the project of the 5th unit of the KNPP in this document.

The managers of Novovoronezh, Kolsk, Leningrad, Balakov, Smolnesk and Volgodon NPPs came to congratulate their colleagues from Kursk. These NPPs have always cooperated and exchanged experience. Chief of the Fire Service of the Kursk region Aleksey Kachikin said that the plant’s fire department #3 has been recognized as the best NPP fire fighting unit in Russia. He said that the «clockwork» of the Kursk nuclear power engineers «has left the Kursk firemen without job.»

During the ceremony the KNPP got governmental, regional and departmental awards. KNPP Director Igor Slepokon was awarded a certificate of honor for contribution to the nuclear power sector development, a diploma from the Kursk Duma, a clock from the Chief of the Federal Security Service Nikolay Patrushev for effective strategic facility protection. The festivities were crowned with firework and concert.