Public hearings at LNPP-2

Boris Gabarayev, Director General of Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering

On Feb 7 Sosnovy Bor (Leningrad region) will host public hearings of the materials on the ecological impacts of the construction and the operation of LNPP-2. One day before the hearings Director General of Research and Development Institute of Power Engineering Boris Gabarayev comments on the technical aspects of the project.

LNPP is the key supplier of Leningrad region, i.e. the North-Western region cannot do without the plant.

LNPP was the first RBMK reactor plant. Consequently, it will be the first to be stopped. So, the question is how we will replace its capacities. We hoped for gas capacities, but this project has proved impracticable: first, the Russian President has made it clear that we should start avoiding dependence on gas; second, we remember what Mendeleyev said long ago: to burn oil and gas is like to burn banknotes. He is right. For example, in oil chemistry oil and gas are irreplaceable, but in energy we can well do without them. What we need is nuclear energy. So, the construction of the second NPP in Leningrad region is a solution that naturally suggests itself and needs no additional substantiation.

What we really wanted to know: what reactor to built at LNPP-2 – channel-type (like at LNPP-1) or shell-type reactor? We have chosen shell-type. Of course, we consider the second scenario too.

However, the point is not the type of reactor but that we will build nuclear rather than gas, coal or other capacities. A coal plant would be a blow on ecology, a gas plant – on economy. So, in any case, I support the project.

In my opinion, the capacity of LNPP-2 must be higher than 4,000 MW, i.e. than the capacity of LNPP-1. Our industry is beginning to develop, the population is beginning to more actively consume energy. So, one-for-one replacement seems to be not enough. That’s why we should build either stronger units or more units: 6 instead of 4.

LNPP-2 will be a real benefit for Sosnovy Bor. Today, the local children are faced with the choice of profession: if they know that LNPP-2 will be built, they will be sure that they will have work for 60 years, at least, and will certainly follow in their parents’ footsteps and will be right.