Hot tests have been completed at unit 2 of Russia’s Leningrad II nuclear power plant.

The testing, which began in February, included 150 tests on major systems to check their performance under normal operational conditions, but with simulators of fuel assemblies loaded into the reactor vessel. The equipment was also tested under emergency conditions.  

The unit will now undergo an audit of equipment, after which permission will be given for physical start-up, and fresh nuclear fuel will be loaded into the reactor core for the first time.

The commissioning of Leningrad II-2 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021.

The original Leningrad plant site in Sosnovy Bor has four RBMK-1000 units to be replaced by Leningrad II with four VVER-1200 units. Leningrad 1 was shut down for decommissioning in December 2018. Leningrad II-1 was connected to the grid in March 2018.

Leningrad nuclear power plant is the largest electricity producer in the north-west region of Russia, where it accounts for 30% of total electricity generation.

Photo: Hot tests have been completed at Leningrad II-2 (Photo credit: Rosenergoatom)