OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2009.  Two 500KV power transmission lines connecting Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant with Kuybyshev sub-station failed on June 18 at 06:04 AM. On the insistence of the dispatching control office, the capacity of the plant has been reduced to 2,770MW. The failure was caused by a thunder storm.

The lines were restarted at 06:52 PM. Presently, the plant is operating safely and efficiently.

The radiation background at Balakovo NPP and in its nearby area is within norm.

Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant is Russia’s biggest electricity producer: over 30bln KWh a year (more than any other nuclear, thermal and water power plant in the country). Balakovo NPP produces 1/4 of the electricity generated in Volga Federal District and 1/5 of the electricity generated by all Russian NPPs. The plant supplies electricity to 76% of Volga region, 13% of Center, 8% of Ural and 3% of Siberia. The plant’s electricity is the cheapest among all Russian NPPs and TPPs. The plant’s capacity factor is over 80%.

Balakovo NPP is the leading NPP in Russia: in 1995, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006 it was proclaimed the best NPP in Russia. In 2003 Balakovo won the contest “Enterprise of High Production and Labor Organization Culture.” The plant is also the winner of the 2 nd (2001), 4th (2004), 5th (2005) and 6th (2006) All-Russian Contests “Russian Organization of High Social Efficiency.” 2002 Balakovo NPP became the branch of “Rosenergoatom” Concern (presently "Energoatom" Concern). The plant’s priorities are radiation and ecological safety, production ion, social security, active social programs.

The plant is situated on the shore of Saratov reservoir of Volga River 10 km north-east of Balakovo. It has four modernized WWER-1000 (V-320) reactors – 1,000MW each.