The physical launch Russia’s BREST-OD-300 lead-cooled fast reactor in Seversk will be in 2026, with grid connection planned for the first half of 2027, according to Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev.
The Brest-OD-300 is under construction at the Siberian Chemical Plant (SCC part of Rosatom fuel company TVEL) as part of the pilot demonstration power complex (ODEK – Opitno Demonstratsionovo Energo-Kompleksa), which is part of the Breakthrough (Proryv) project intended to demonstrate closed fuel cycle technology. SCC has been responsible for implementing the ODEK project since 2011 which will also include a module for fabrication and refabrication of nuclear fuel (MFR) and a module for reprocessing irradiated fuel. The MFR is already almost completed and planned for commissioning this year. Construction of the reprocessing unit is planned for 2025-2026 for commissioning in 2030.
The experience of design, construction, commissioning and operation of ODEK will pave the way for construction of an industrial energy complex (PEK – PromiishlennovoEnergoKompleksa) based on a larger lead-cooled fast neutron reactor BR-1200 with a capacity of 1,200 MW.
Image: Cutaway of the BREST-OD-300 reactor (courtesy of Rosatom)
