OREANDA-NEWS. July 3, 2008. Atomenergoproekt FSUE (Moscow), one of the leading engineering companies of Rosatom, started the principal stage of the project to build Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant-2 – it began laying concrete in the foundations of the reactor compartment of the plant’s 1st unit. Novovoronezh NPP-2 is being built in the framework of the federal target program for the development of the nuclear power industry of Russia in 2007–2010 and -2015, which envisages construction of 10 new nuclear power plants in addition to the 10 existing NPPs.

Director General of Atomenergoproekt Vladimir Generalov has told Dmitry Sokurenko from RIA Novosti about the NovNPP-2 project and the company’s development plans.

— Today, everything that is being done under NovNPP-2 project is said to be done for the first time. It is the first NPP in Russia after a long pause, the first concrete laid in the foundations of its first reactor…

— You haven’t mentioned the fact that NovNPP-2 is the first site for the NPP-2006 project (NPP with WWER-1200 reactors). This is an evolutionary project based on the technical solutions of the NPP-92 (a project that has received official EUR certificate). In fact, we are the first engineering company in Russia to have won the right to build an NPP in the framework of the federal target program for the development of the nuclear power industry of Russia in 2007–2010 and -2015. The NPP-2006 project is the basis of the most of the NPPs to be built in the framework of the general scheme for allocation of power plants in the territory of Russia till 2020. 

— How is the project going? Do you have problems with equipment deliveries or sub-contractors? Are you complying with the schedule?

— This year we have started technologically complex processes: the construction of the foundation plate and the underground section of the reactor compartment of the 1st unit, the auxiliary reactor compartment and other facilities. We already have over 20 sub-contractor organizations. Of course, we have some problems with the supply of equipment, building materials, with qualified personnel but we are trying to comply with the schedule. The cost of the project is 130bln RUR. I think that this will be enough. The 1st unit is to be launched in 2012, the 2nd one – in 2013.

— What other projects are you planning to undertake?

— I think that we will take part in all tenders for the construction of new NPPs in Russia. By the way, we will design Seversk NPP (Tomsk region). This plant will also have NPP-2006 reactors.

This year we are planning to decide where the plant will be built and will prepare materials for selection of the site and for obtainment of allocation license. Next year we will carry out the feasibility study. In fact, Seversk NPP will be a copy of Novovoronezh NPP-2.
 
The 1st unit of the plant is to be launched in 2015. This is quite realistic. In 2009 we will carry out engineering studies and will obtain an allocation license. I think that the preparatory stage will last for two years and in mid 2011 we will start the principal construction.

Besides, we are planning to be the general designer of Ural NPP and Central NPP. According to the general scheme for the allocation of power plants in the territory of Russia till 2020, Central NPP with two WWER-1200 reactors may be built in Yaroslavl or Kostroma regions, while South Ural NPP with four WWER-1200 reactors – in Chelyabinsk region.

— Are you sure that you will have enough strength for building so many reactors at one and the same time?

— Each new project gives us experience and knowledge and strong partnership with sub-contractors. I think that in two-three years Atomenergoproekt will be ready to simultaneously build 10 nuclear reactors.