The fuel cycle of Unit 1 of the second nuclear power plant in Novovoronezh, Russia has been extended

Russian regulators have issued licenses to allow Unit 1 of the New Voronezh Second Nuclear Power Plant to be commissioned in a fuel cycle mode extended to 18 months. The unit is a VVER-1200 unit, also known as Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant. The previous fuel cycle period was 12 months. The reactor has been loaded with new fuel manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Enrichment Plant, ready for a new fuel cycle. The new fuel cycle will significantly shorten the total maintenance time of the generator set, increase the installed capacity utilization rate, and ensure an increase in power generation. The trial operation will last about 3 years, after which it is decided whether to transition to an 18-month fuel cycle. Unit 7 of the New Voronezh Nuclear Power Plant also plans to do so and will provide experience for the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation’s overseas VVER-1200 project.