RBMK reactor in west of country to operate until 2030
Russia’s nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor has granted a five-year licence extension for Unit 2 of the Smolensk nuclear power station, state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom said in a statement.
Rosatom said the move will allow the reactor to remain in service for 45 years, or 15 years beyond its original design life.
There are three operating RBMK light-water graphite reactor units at Smolensk, in western Russia. They began commercial operation in 1983, 1985 and 1990.
State nuclear operator Rosenergoatom had sought 15-year lifetime extensions for all three units allowing them to operate for a total of 45 years until 2028, 2030 and 2035 respectively.
Units 1 and 3 have already been given licence to operate for 45 years, said Rosatom.
Rosatom also said the decision to grant a licence extension for Smolensk-2 follows extensive modernisation and safety upgrades that began in 2006, including technical assessments, equipment replacements, and a comprehensive safety review.
Rosenergoatom said the extension could enable the generation of 35 billion kWh of electricity, alongside continued radioisotope production for industry and nuclear medicine.
Russia is preparing the deployment of two new Generation III+ VVER-TOI reactor units at Smolensk.
The VVER-TOI design was developed from the 1,200 MW AES-2006 pressurised water reactor.
A control room at the Smolensk nuclear power station in Russia. Courtesy Rosatom.
