27.04.2007 // PR Department of Rosatomstroy ICC

On Apr 25 the participants in the reconstruction of Seversk TPP in the framework of Seversk Plutonium Production Elimination Project, Rosatomstroy ICC and Washington Group International Inc., summed up the results of Jan-Mar 2007

Attending the meeting were representatives of the US Department of Energy, Rosatomstroy, Washington Group International Inc. and Siberian Chemical Plant.

One of the key topics was the management of the project and the problem of further financing.

Earlier, Rosatom sent the American side proposals on the structure and the cost of the activities ensuring the stoppage of ADE-4 and ADE-5. During the meeting the sides considered the above proposals as well as the measures they should carry out to successfully complete the reconstruction of Seversk TPP within the financing provided by the American side. The total cost of the project is $285mln.

In 2007 the American side has allocated $24.7mln for priority tasks and the purchase of materials for the primary facilities ensuring 50% launch of the substituting capacities. Rosatomstroy has already concluded contracts worth $12mln.

The representatives of Rosatomstory said: “The sides are searching for mutually acceptable ways to reconstruct Seversk TPP and shut down ADE-4 and ADE-5 within the agreed-on schedule and budget.”

One of the key activities in Jan-Mar 2007 was the conduct of tenders and the conclusion of contracts with the winners: a total of 36 contracts and supplement agreements.

Priority is given to the quality of the work. That’s why as many as eleven MS ISO 9001:2000 inspections were carried out during the period under review.

A “Semaphore of Quality” project is supposed to stimulate the quality of management. 30 people and the sub-contractor company Spetzteplochimmontage have been awarded under the program during the period under review.

A total of 600 people are involved in the project. As soon as the sides agree on the final stage of the project and the order of further financing, the personnel will be redoubled.

The Rosatomstroy representatives made detailed reports on the problems of ecology, human health and safety. Even though the work is done in close conformity with the Russian laws, Rosatomstroy carries out weekly preventive measures on the basis of the recommendations of Washington Group International Inc. Jointly with Seversk TPP Laboratory, the company monitors the content of carbon dust on the site. First aid training and safety contests are compulsory for the personnel.

All those measures allow the contractor to minimize risks during construction and installation work.

Background:

The project is part of the inter-governmental Russian-American agreement on elimination of plutonium production aimed at substituting ADE-4 and ADE-5 graphite-moderated reactors in Seversk. By the end of the project in 2008 the thermal capacity of the source substituting the thermal reactors will make up 1357 Gcal/h. The Seversk plutonium ADE-4 and ADE-5 production reactors will be shut down following the provision of US assistance to commission heat and electric capacity of up to 1560 gigacalories per hour of steam generation and 230 megawatts of electricity generation (current reactor capacity is about 3450 gigacalories per hour and 432 MWe electric power). The project has received three international awards: in 2005 and 2006 — WGII Presidents Award and in 2005 – Lion Award (Best Government Project).