Rosatom has granted permission to nuclear utility Regenerator for the second stage of preliminary construction at unit 7 of the Leningrad NPP and for the start of preliminary work at unit 8. This approval is regulated by Russia’s Town Planning Code and enables construction and installation work to begin on 67 capital construction facilities for unit 8.
The seventh and eighth VVER-1200 units at Leningrad NPP (also known as Leningrad-II 3&4) are expected to start full construction in 2024 and 2025 for completion by 2030 and 2032. First concrete for unit 7 is planned for June 2024, the foundation of unit 8 will be laid in May 2025. Currently Leningrad NPP has four units in operation – units 3&4 with Soviet RBMK-1000 reactors, as well units 5&6 with new VVER-1200 units. Units 5&6 replaced units 1&2 with RBMK-1000 reactors, which were decommissioned in 2018 and 2020. The new units 7&8 will replace units 3&4.
At unit 7, workers have already developed a foundation pit for the nuclear island and are installing a foundation pit for the turbine island. A construction licence for nuclear facilities is expected to be issued in December enabling major construction activities to begin. During the peak period work will be taking place on more than 150 buildings and structures. Construction of the two new units is expected to involve 2,000 workers.
Image: Construction begins on the 7th unit at Leningrad nuclear power plant (courtesy of Leningrad NPP)
