The Federation Council recommends the Government to complete the construction of 5th unit of KNPP

28.02.2007 // Press service of Rosenergoatom

On Feb 27 the Federation Council Committee on Natural Monopolies decided to recommend the Government to include the 5th unit of Kursk NPP in the General Scheme for the Deployment of Electric Energy Facilities in the Russian Federation and to finish the project by 2010

The decision followed a relevant request by the governor of Kursk region.

The Committee has also recommended the Government to finance the construction of power transmission lines for electricity supply of Moscow region.

Rosenergoatom Deputy Director General-Director for Development Alexander Polushkin said that, according to the final estimates, the project will cost 27.91bln RUR (with inflation considered).

He said that, if the Government sanctions the project this year, it will be completed by 2010 and in 2011 the unit will be already fully operative. 

KNPP Director Yuri Slepokon said that they have all the necessary infrastructure and personnel (some 4,000 people). The physical condition of the unit allows to launch it within three years.

Concerning the safety of the unit, Slepokon said that the project meets all IAEA requirements. The reactor is of RBMK-1000 type. The control and safety systems have been significantly improved: in case of emergency they can stop the unit within 2 seconds. The human factor has been reduced to the minimum: the security system has many backups and the operator just controls their performance. Slepokon said that the operation control system has been thoroughly tested.

On Jan 24 the State Duma Committee on Energy, Transport and Communication recommended the Government to complete the construction of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP. The project was started in 1986 and was to be launched by 2000 and later by 2004. Today, the unit is 70% ready. The main technological equipment – reactor, two 550 MW turbine generators,  auxiliary systems — has already been installed. Hydraulic and auxiliary facilities are almost ready. 60% of external communications have already been built.