Smolensk-II Construction Begins

Wedoany.com Report-Nov 29,  The design documentation and materials from engineering surveys has been approved to begin work on the construction and installation base of Russia’s Smolensk-II NPP by the regional Smolensk State Expert organisation (Smolenskgosexpert). Compliance of the materials with the requirements of technical regulations and current regulations was recognised, allowing work to begin on the basic infrastructure of the replacement NPP.

Russia’s Titan-2 is to build two new units with VVER-TOI reactors at the Smolensk-II NPP by 2032 and 2034. Smolensk-II will be built 6 km away from the Smolensk NPP which comprises three RBMK reactors, nearing the end of their design life. The first unit was commissioned in 1982 and has had its lifetime extended until 2027. The second unit has a permit to operate until 29 May 2025 and the third until 14 December 2034.

“This paves the way for us and the general contractor, Titan-2, to begin creating the supporting infrastructure, which will include administrative, amenity and production buildings, a concrete mixing unit, a warehouse, a large-scale assembly workshop and other facilities,” said Alexander Chebotarev, Deputy Director of the Smolensk NPP for Capital Construction.

He added that the construction of these facilities will prepare for the pouring of first concrete into the foundation slab of the reactor building of unit 1. In November, Titan-2 began constructing the foundations of administrative and industrial buildings at the construction and installation base of Smolensk-II. Currently, the site for the construction and installation base has been completely cleared of trees and logging materials, and its vertical layout has been completed.

Work is underway on the design of access roads, railways, engineering communications, and the supply of electricity and water. The priority is housing for the builders. Based on the experience of building the Kursk-II NPP, it was estimated that at the peak of work in 2030 there will be over 9,000 people on site. In this regard, several apartment buildings are planned to be built in Desnogorsk, the operators town for the existing NPP. First concrete for the reactor building of unit 1 is planned for March 2027.

The development of design documentation for units 1&2 is planned to be completed in 2025. The general designer is JSC Atomenergoproekt. In accordance with the roadmap, by 2026 the main state examination of the design documentation for the main period of the construction should be completed and permission for the construction of the two units should be granted.