TACIS at Smolensk NPP: three-year project underway

22.02.2008 // Smolensky Atom

On Feb 6–7 2008 Smolensk NPP hosted a meeting of the committee for coordination of three-year TACIS project at the plant

In June 2006 the European Commission and Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant signed an “On-Site Support” contract stipulating the implementation of a three-year project in the framework of the TACIS safety enhancement program. European experts say that this is the biggest and the most effective project carried out at Russian nuclear power plants so far and Smolensk NPP is the absolute leader under this project.

On Feb 6–7 2008 the coordinating committee of the project – western experts and advisers, the managers of the on-site support projects and specialists of Smolensk NPP – discussed the results of the work done so far and some future projects concerning exchange of experience, consultative support and delivery of equipment. It was the first large meeting of the managers of the on-site support projects at Smolensk NPP.

Presently, Smolensk NPP is carrying out five projects for adopting the European experience in the field of the safe operation of a nuclear power plant and adapting the best methods and practices of European NPPs to local conditions. The managers of the projects, the senior engineer of the reactor department Andrey Bogens, the deputy head of the international department Natalia Chalova, the head of the safety laboratory of the testing department Oleg Kuchaniyazov and the head of the radioactive waste treatment department Pyotr Kachan told the European experts about the key results of their work.

Two technical support programs are being implemented in the framework of the three-year project.

Since 2001 Smolensk NPP has been building a radioactive waste treatment complex. The European Commission is financing part of equipment deliveries in the framework of the TACIS technical support program. Last year they announced a tender for the supply of a super-press, radio-chemical laboratory, cementing control systems and technological control equipment. Fontijne Grotnes (the Netherlands), ALL TRADE (Italy), BIS (Latvia) and AREVA (Germany) have won it. The first deliveries are to be made this year.

The other technical support project is the supply of a loudspeaker communication system, to be installed in the third quarter of 2008. This system will help to more effectively introduce new technical solutions at all the Russian NPPs.

Many of the achievements of Smolensk NPP under TACIS projects will be included in the EU new INSC program. The European experts pointed out the well-organized and effective work of the project teams and the active support of the management of Smolensk NPP. Some of the projects were included in the plant’s own work plan. The deputy director of the bureau for joint management of EU nuclear safety projects in Russia Vladimir Poroikov said that the achievements of the projects, particularly, the instruments and methods for safety culture enhancement and change control, had to be disseminated among the other Russian nuclear power plants. The projects that are being implemented at Smolensk NPP are effective and viable and can serve as a guide for all the other Russian NPPs.