17.12.2007 // Press service of Rosenergoatom concern

Deputy chief engineers of Rosenergoatom NPPs have discussed problems of modernization in Moscow region

The deputy chief engineers of Bilibino, Volgodonsk, Kalinin, Kola, Kursk, Leningrad, Novovoronezh and Smolensk NPPs as well as representatives of WANO Moscow Center, Energoatom (Ukraine), Hydropress, Atomenergoproekt, OKBM, VNIIAES, Rosenergoatomproekt and other research institutes met in Moscow region on Dec 12–14 2007 to discuss the problems of modernization and extension of service life of nuclear power plants.

The first deputy technical director of Rosenergoatom Concern Anatoly Kontsevoy pointed out the importance of modernization and life extension and informed the conferees that Rosenergoatom spends almost 20bln RUR for this purpose.

The modernization of WWER reactors has been almost completed, now, Rosenergoatom is modernizing and prolonging the service lives of RBMK reactors.

“We must be efficient. We have a program to enhance the capacity factor of the reactors by 2017. This is our key priority,” Kontsevoy said.

The deputy head of the Modernization and Life Extension Department of Rosenergoatom Pavel Novozhilov summed up the results of 2007. He said that this year Rosenergoatom worked hard to enhance the safety and to improve the performance of its nuclear power plants. A special commission supervised the use of relevant funds. In 2008 the Concern is going to improve its modernization management system and relevant standards.  

Novozhilov pointed out the importance of regular cooperation and exchange of information between Energoatom (Ukraine) and Rosenergoatom as the companies operate similar types of reactors.

The head of the Modernization and Life Extension Department of Rosenergoatom Concern Andrey Dementyev said that some NPPs are not efficient enough in spending money on modernization, for example, Kursk NPP.

The deputy head of the Modernization and Life Extension Department of Rosenergoatom Concern Pavel Medvedev said that 11 of 31 existing nuclear power units in Russia have extended their lives, 9 units are planning such work in 2009–2015. In 2006 the life of the 1st unit of Kursk NPP was prolonged for 10 years with the lives of the 2nd unit of Kursk NPP and the 3rd unit of Leningrad NPP to be prolonged for as much. 

The conferees exchanged their experience of modernization and life extension.