Search Results

Unit 3 of Beloyarsk NPP begins scheduled maintenance and equipment modernization

Unit 3 of Russia's Beloyarsk NPP entered scheduled preventive maintenance on August 18. This outage maintenance will be used for fuel reloading, equipment maintenance, and preventive repairs, along with partial modernization efforts to maintain reliable unit operation and improve equipment performance. The unit features a BN-600 sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor. During the maintenance period, the plant will carry out major repairs on the BN-600 reactor facility and replace 9 guide tubes in the control and protection system. Such operations are uncommon and are typically performed approximately once every 10 years. According to the maintenance schedule, the plant will also repair the unloading lift device and conduct operational monitoring inspections of the reactor pressure vessel metal...

2026-08-19

The Second Working Meeting of 2026 of the Special Review and Supervision Task Force for the Hainan Changjiang Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Project Convened

To further strengthen the regulatory oversight of the Hainan Changjiang Multi-purpose Modular Small Modular Reactor Science and Technology Demonstration Project (hereinafter referred to as the Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Project), the Nuclear Power Safety Regulatory Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently organized and convened the Second Working Meeting of 2026 of the Special Review and Supervision Task Force for the Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Project. Representatives from the South China Regional Office of Nuclear and Radiation Safety Supervision, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center, the China Machinery Productivity Promotion Center, the operating organization, and the design organization attended the meeting. The meeting focused on dialogue and exchanges regarding unresolved review issues of the Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Project, and reviewed the implementation status of action items from the first task force meeting, the overall project review status, on-site supervision status...

2026-08-18

First Power Transmission Line Commissioned at Smolensk NPP-2 Construction Site

The first power transmission line has been commissioned at the construction site of Russia's Smolensk NPP-2. The line will provide stable power supply and round-the-clock lighting for the construction and installation base, freeing on-site work from natural daylight constraints. According to the project schedule, the construction site is currently connected to the 10 kV grid via a temporary scheme, with a switch to the permanent power supply system planned after the 110/10 kV permanent substation is put into operation. During construction, the contractor laid over 3 kilometers of cable and installed more than 60 transmission line towers under challenging weather conditions. During the construction phase of the installation base, stable power supply plays a fundamental role in project progress. The site needs to complete the construction of rebar module and rebar cage fabrication workshops on schedule, establishing a complete preparation flow from metal processing to finished component delivery. These components will be used directly in the subsequent construction of the main structures of the nuclear power units.

2026-08-18

Icebreaker of Knowledge International Expedition Returned from North Pole

On August 13, the 7th international scientific and educational expedition of Rosatom, Icebreaker of Knowledge, returned to Murmansk. Over the course of ten days, 68 talented schoolchildren and college students from all federal districts of Russia and 22 countries around the world traveled aboard the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy along the route Murmansk – North Pole – Franz Josef La...

2026-08-18

SK Deepens Cooperation with TerraPower, Targeting Nuclear Power Supply for AI Data Centers

According to industry sources, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won recently met with TerraPower Board Chairman Bill Gates in Seoul. The two sides exchanged views on next-generation nuclear power technology, electricity demand from AI data centers, and global energy cooperation. (From left to right) TerraPower CEO Chris Leveque, SK Innovation CEO Choo Hyung-wook, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, TerraPower Board Chairman Bill Gates, and TerraPower Senior Vice President of Business Development Jeff Miller at a meeting before a dinner at Seonhyewon restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 14, 2026...

2026-08-17

Repeated Power Outages at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Raise Concerns over Equipment Aging and Safety Risks

August 13 news, the issue of repeated interruptions to the external power supply at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant continues to draw attention. Relevant data shows that since February 2022, the plant has experienced 26 power outages, 14 of which occurred in the first 8 months of 2026. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Once the external power supply is interrupted, the plant must switch to backup power to maintain the operation of essential safety systems. Frequent switching of power supply modes not only increases operational pressure but also poses additional risks to nuclear safety and radiation safety. Relevant parties have stated that signs of equipment aging at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are intensifying, with the condition of diesel generator sets being particularly concerning. The backup diesel generator sets are generally...

2026-08-15

Russia's SKIF Synchrotron Radiation Facility Hailed as a Milestone for Russian Science

On August 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Koltsovo Science City in Novosibirsk to learn about the operating principles of the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF), a shared-use center. This center is the first facility in a network of modern synchrotron radiation sources being built in Russia, with construction efforts incorporated into the national development program for synchrotron and neutron research and related research infrastructure, covering the period through 2030 and beyond. It was reported that SKIF, with its high-brightness, high-intensity X-ray beams, can serve high-level research in fields such as chemistry, physics, materials science, biology, geology, archaeology, and paleontology. Officials also noted that...

2026-08-14

Russian and South African energy company representatives exchange nuclear emergency response cooperation

On August 11, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry held an off-site information briefing. The event was organized by ATC JSC, a subsidiary of Rosatom, and attended by senior management representatives from Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd (ESKOM) of South Africa. The meeting aimed to establish professional contacts and exchange experience on topics including nuclear energy utilization, nuclear and radiation safety, and emergency response operations. During the event, a representative delivered a report titled "Current Status and Capabilities of the Rosatom Nuclear Emergency Response System in Conducting Emergency Response Operations at Fire Stations," presenting the operational framework and technical capabilities of the Rosatom nuclear emergency response system. Radiation monitoring equipment used by the emergency response system was also demonstrated during the event.

2026-08-13

Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station Advances CCNSG Safety Passport Collaboration to Ensure Site Safety During Peak Construction

Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station in the UK is deepening its collaboration with the Client Contractor National Safety Group (CCNSG) to safeguard thousands of workers on site during the peak construction phase. Located in Somerset, the project is progressively transitioning from civil works to mechanical and electrical installation, placing greater demands on unified safety access standards and workforce competency. The CCNSG Safety Passport scheme, delivered by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), has been operating in the engineering construction industry for over 30 years, with more than 85,500 active cardholders. The scheme is industry-led and continuously overseen by a relevant committee, of which Hinkley Point C is a member.

2026-08-13

Rosatom Starts Preparations for Long-Lead Equipment Contracts at Primorskaya NPP

The engineering division of Rosatom recently announced that preparations for signing long-lead equipment manufacturing contracts for the Primorskaya Nuclear Power Plant have commenced, covering the reactor building, turbine hall, core catcher, and other major system components. According to the announcement, the scope of contract preparation includes key equipment such as main reactor building equipment, turbine hall equipment, the Automated Process Control System (APCS) for the units, and the core catcher. Long-lead equipment typically has extended manufacturing cycles and represents a critical element that must be secured early in the pre-construction phase of a nuclear power project. Currently, the project is also advancing multiple public tender preparation efforts, including site vertical layout planning,...

2026-08-13

Cangnan Nuclear Power Completes First Batch of Vocational Skill Level Certification

On August 10, Cangnan Nuclear Power successfully completed its first batch of vocational skill level certification, covering 4 job types that have been filed with the authorities. A total of 15 people passed the assessment, marking a solid step forward for Cangnan Nuclear Power in building its independent evaluation system for skilled personnel. Meticulous Preparation, Laying a Solid Foundation for Certification According to the filed scope, Cangnan Nuclear Power is authorized to conduct vocational skill level certification for 4 job types: assembly fitter, electrician, instrumentation maintenance worker, and radiation protection worker (radiation monitoring and protection worker). To complete the first batch of certification tasks with high quality, Cangnan Nuclear Power strictly adhered to national vocational skill standards and evaluation norms, actively participated in the unified qualification training organized by China General Nuclear Power Group, and assembled a high-quality team of over 90 supervisors, assessors, and examination staff. At the same time, it actively researched the certification practices of other nuclear power units within China General Nuclear Power Group and elsewhere in Zhejiang Province, and sorted out in advance the precautions for each step including registration and selection, examination venue setup, process control, and document archiving, striving to ensure that every step was carefully organized and thoroughly planned. Standardized Implementation, Strictly Controlling Talent Quality The vocational skill level certification assessment comprehensively examined the professional knowledge and practical operation capabilities of the candidates in their respective job fields from both theoretical and practical aspects. The theoretical examination focused on the core knowledge points of each job type, with emphasis on testing employees' mastery of professional theory, safety regulations, and process flows. The practical assessment was closely aligned with the actual job responsibilities, simulating real work scenarios, with experienced assessors scoring on-site to ensure objective, fair, and authoritative evaluation results. The certification process was well-organized and strictly disciplined, fully complying with the relevant management measures of China General Nuclear Power Group on vocational skill level certification. The participating employees were energetic and fully committed, fully demonstrating the solid professional foundation and good professional ethics of Cangnan Nuclear Power's skilled personnel team. Ultimately, a total of 15 participants successfully passed the advanced worker (Level 3) certification assessment. Skill Development, Driving High-Quality Growth Vocational skill level certification is an important means of evaluating skilled personnel, and those who pass the assessment will receive nationally recognized vocational skill level certificates. This is not only a high recognition of employees' individual skill levels, but also broadens their upward career development channels. The successful completion of the first batch of vocational skill level certification is an important milestone in the development of Cangnan Nuclear Power's skilled personnel training system, and has also accumulated valuable experience for the subsequent filing and certification of other job types. With the continuous improvement of supporting resources, Cangnan Nuclear Power will gradually increase the number of filed job types, regularly organize skill level certification at various levels, build skill growth platforms for more frontline employees, and provide solid skilled personnel support for building the "Hualong One" into a dual benchmark for construction and operation.

2026-08-13

Bulgaria's Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant Faces Shutdown Risk Due to Low Danube Water Levels

On August 11, Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy warned that the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is facing the risk of reduced output or even shutdown due to the continuously declining water level of the Danube River. The plant relies on the Danube to provide cooling water for its two 1,000 MW reactors. If the water intake capacity continues to be constrained, it will directly affect the safe operation of the reactors and the stability of power supply. Bulgaria's Ministry of Energy stated that measures have been taken to ensure water supply to the cooling system, including dredging the channels connecting the Danube to coastal pumping stations to maintain the necessary flow. This summer, the Danube's water level has dropped to historic lows due to prolonged drought. Near Ruse, Bulgaria, the river's flow is already more than one meter below the safe navigation level, and it has continued to decline over the past 24 hours...

2026-08-12

Scheduled Maintenance Launched for Units 3 and 4 of Kursk Nuclear Power Plant

Starting August 11, 2026, Russia's Kursk Nuclear Power Plant launched scheduled routine maintenance on Units 3 and 4. On the same day, the plant also commenced annual maintenance and preventive upkeep of the heat network at the standby boiler house. The operations are scheduled to continue until August 22. Due to the maintenance schedule, hot water supply in the city of Kurchatov has been temporarily interrupted. The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant stated that this is the first time in nearly 50 years of plant operation that local hot water supply has been temporarily suspended due to related maintenance. Hot water supply to Kurchatov will be restored after the maintenance is completed. Alexey Leonov, Deputy Chief Engineer for Operations of the main building at Kursk NPP, said that the plant is currently undergoing significant changes, including the decommissioning of units that have reached their design service life and the commissioning of new units. These changes are transforming the ways thermal energy is produced and delivered to consumers, and also require modernization of the plant and related city infrastructure. He noted that this maintenance cycle is relatively short, and the schedule has been arranged to minimize impact on residents' daily lives. In recent years, the plant has taken measures to avoid scheduling maintenance on Units 3 and 4 during the winter season.

2026-08-12

Long-term overhaul of heating networks launched in satellite town of Smolensk NPP

A large-scale modernization of the municipal heating system has been launched in Desnogorsk, the satellite town of Russia's Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant. The project is planned to last 15 years and is expected to replace more than 30 kilometers of main heating pipelines, accounting for about one-third of the city's heating network infrastructure. The work is being carried out by AtomTeploElektroSet, a company affiliated with Rosenergoatom, which operates public utility services including heating, water supply, and drainage in cities hosting nuclear power plants. Currently, renovation work has begun in the first and third residential districts of Desnogorsk. The project's progress is linked to Desnogorsk being included in...

2026-08-11

Unit 2 of Romania's Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant Still at Risk of Shutdown

Ionel Scrioșteanu, State Secretary of Romania's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, stated that Unit 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant is currently still in operation, but the risk of shutdown has not been eliminated. On August 8, Romanian authorities took emergency measures by sinking four fully loaded barges into the Danube River to raise local water levels, increasing the water intake into the plant's cooling water system to ensure the cooling needs of the reactor units. Scrioșteanu said on social media that the related actions have achieved positive results, allowing Unit 2 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant to continue operating...

2026-08-11