20 Feb (NucNet): The first fuel assembly was loaded into the reactor core of the Generation III+ Novovoronezh 2-2 nuclear power plant in Russia yesterday as preparations begin for physical startup of the unit, state nuclear corporation Rosatom said.
According to Rosatom, the loading of all 163 fuel assemblies at the plant, about 50km south of Voronezh in western Russia, should be completed within five days.
Rosatom also confirmed that nuclear regulator Rostekhnadzor had issued a licence for operation of the 1,114-MW plant.
The beginning of physical start-up operations means that all work related to the construction phase of Novovoronezh 2-2 has been completed, Rosatom said. The unit is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of the year.
Construction of Novovoronezh 2-2, a 1,114-MW VVER 1200 pressurised water reactor unit, began in July 2009. Rosatom said it will be the third unit of its type to be completed in Russia.
The others were its sister unit, Novovoronezh 2-1, which began commercial operation in February 2017, and Leningrad 2-1, which began commercial operation in October 2018.
