The key operation for the construction of a new unit was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin via video conference.
First concrete was laid in the foundation of the reactor building of Unit 7 with a VVER-1200 reactor at the construction site of new power units of Leningrad NPP (a branch of Rosenergoatom, Electric Power Division of ROSATOM). This historic event marks the beginning of the main phase of construction of new power units which will provide the country with clean energy for at least 60 years.
Speaking about the prospects for the development of the domestic nuclear industry, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted: “By 2045, the share of nuclear generation in Russia’s overall energy balance will be increased to 25%. The construction of a new efficient power unit at Leningrad NPP will be a good contribution to this work. Its launch will improve the energy security of the entire North-West region of Russia and will provide consumers with more environmentally friendly, clean electricity for years to come.”
Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant has been reliably providing the region with affordable and safe electricity for more than half a century: now its share in the power balance of Saint Petersburg and Leningrad region is 55%, in the power balance of the entire Northwestern Federal District, 28.5%. Commenting on the significant event, Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of Leningrad region, noted: “Thanks to the operation of the nuclear power plant and its contribution to the consolidated budget of the Leningrad region, thousands of industrial enterprises and social facilities are operating, houses, bridges, roads are being built, large regional investment projects are being implemented, jobs are being created, significant funds are allocated for healthcare, education, and social support of the public. Leningrad NPP Units 7 and 8, which will replace Units 3 and 4, will allow maintaining electricity production for the needs of the region, guaranteeing not only the energy stability of Leningrad region, but also its confident movement forward.”
According to Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM, starting the construction of Leningrad NPP Unit 7, ROSATOM is embarking on a new stage in fulfilling the President’s task of increasing the share of nuclear energy in the energy balance to 25% by 2045. "We are now building two units of the second phase of Kursk NPP. They are already at a high level of readiness – this year we will reach the first criticality stage of the 1st unit. In addition to Leningrad NPP, replacement units will also be built at Smolensk and Kola nuclear power plants. The further development of nuclear generation in Russia involves venturing into new sites. We will significantly increase nuclear generation in Ural and expand to Siberia and the Far East, where the largest increase in consumption is predicted,” said the head of ROSATOM.
Work on concreting the foundation of the reactor building of Leningrad NPP Unit 7, the quality of which determines the strength and durability of the building, the integrity of its structures, as well as the reliability of the further operation of the reactor systems and equipment, will be underway 24/7. In order to concrete a slab of 2,100 square meters, builders will need almost 5.5 thousand cubic meters of concrete mixture.
The entire foundation of the reactor building of Leningrad NPP Unit 7 will be ready this summer. After this, the construction of the internal and external containments of the reactor building, the construction of floors and the installation of equipment will be started.