Russia’s nuclear utility Rosenergoatom (part of state nuclear corporation Rosatom) has started tests on unit 2 of the Novovoronezh II NPP to ensure its readiness for start-up.

Rosenergoatom’s final audit of equipment, documentation and personnel will end on 20 November and will be submitted to regulator Rostechnadzor for its approval to launch the operation of the unit.

The Director of Novovoronezh NPP, Vladimir Povarov, said: “To date, the main commissioning work at   unit   2 has already been completed. Based on the results of the audit, an act will be drawn up taking into account the experience of the newly commissioned power units of the Novovoronezh and Leningrad NPPs.”  

Novovoronezh II-2 is a generation 3+ VVER-1200 /392M pressurised water reactor (PWR) featuring a combination of active and passive safety systems that make the station as resistant as possible to external and internal influences. The 1114 MWe (net) unit, also known as Novovoronezh 7,  is the second VVER-1200 at Novovoronezh II – the lead project for the deployment of the AES-2006 design incorporating a Gidropress-designed PWR, an evolutionary development from the VVER-1000. U

Novovoronezh II-1, Russia's first VVER-1200 reactor, was connected to the grid in August 2016  and began commercial operation in February  2017.