First concrete has been poured for the foundation of unit 7 of the Leningrad NPP (also known as Leningrad-II unit 3) three months ahead of schedule. Addressing the ceremony by video link, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted: “By 2045, the share of nuclear generation in the total energy balance of Russia will be increased to 25 %. The construction of a new efficient power unit at the Leningrad NPP will be a good contribution to this work. Its launch will increase the energy security of the entire North-West region of Russia and for years to come will provide consumers with more environmentally friendly, clean electricity.
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 (also known as Leningrad-II 1&2). Units 5&6 replaced units 1&2 with RBMK-1000 reactors, which were decommissioned in 2018 and 2020. New VVER-1200 units (7&8) will replace units 3&4. They are scheduled to be put into commercial operation in 2030 and 2032. Ground preparation for their construction began in 2022. Excavation of the foundation pit for unit 7 was completed in September 2023.
Concreting the foundation of the building of the unit 7 reactor will be conducted round the clock. To concretise the plate with an area of 2,100 square metres, builders will need almost 5,500 cubic metres of concrete mix. Rosatom noted that the quality of the concrete determines the strength and durability of the building, the integrity of its building structures, as well as the reliability of further operation of the reactor systems and equipment. The entire foundation will be ready this summer. After that, the construction of the internal and external protective shells of the reactor building, the construction of ceilings and the installation of equipment will begin.
According to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, by starting construction of Leningrad 7, Rosatom is embarking on a new stage in fulfilling Russia’s target of increasing the share of nuclear energy in the energy balance to 25% by 2045. « Now we are building two units for the second stage of the Kursk NPP. They are already in a high degree of readiness – this year we will see th physical launch of unit 1,” he said. “In addition to the Leningrad NPP, replacement units will also be built at the Smolensk and Kola nuclear plants. Further development of atomic generation in Russia provides for access to new sites. We will significantly increase the atomic generation in the Urals and go to Siberia and the Far East, where the largest increase in consumption is projected.”
Images courtesy of Rosatom
