21 Jun (NucNet): Russian state nuclear operator Rosenergoatom said all testing has been completed at the Rostov-4 nuclear power unit under construction near Volgodonsk in southern Russia and the plant is ready for commercial operation.
The company said the unit had been operated for 15 days at its rated power level and the completion of tests had confirmed its readiness for commercial operation.
Rosenergoatom said tests had shown that all design parameters were met.
Rostov-4 reached first criticality on 29 December 2017 and was connected to the grid on 2 February 2018.
Construction of the VVER-1000/V-320 unit began in June 2010. There are three other units of the same design in commercial operation at Rostov. They began commercial operation between 2001 and 2015.
Rosenergoatom said the Rostov station provides about half the electricity needed for the Volgograd region.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Russia has 37 nuclear units in commercial operation, including Rostov-4, and six under construction. In 2017 the nuclear fleet provided 17.79% of the country’s electricity, IAEA figures show.
