Unit 6 at Russia’s Novovoronezh NPP (unit 1 of Novovoronezh II) began pilot commercial operation on 12 September. The VVER-1200/392M pressurised water reactor, with a design net capacity of 1,114MWe, was first brought to the minimum controlled power in May and was connected to the grid for the first time in August. Gradual power build-up to 100% of the rated value will take 145 days. Novovoronezh-6 is expected to begin commercial operation in December. It is the lead project for the deployment of the AES-2006 design incorporating a Gidropress-designed PWR, an evolutionary development from the VVER-1000. It will be the reference plant for similar units being built abroad.
