Unit 4 of Russia's Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant Shut Down for Planned Major Overhaul

On September 26, 2026, Unit 4 of the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant, which is part of the Electric Power Division of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, was formally disconnected from the grid and entered the stage of preventive major overhaul and modernization upgrade in accordance with the established approved plan. Conducting preventive maintenance on a regular basis is a core routine measure for Russian nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety margin for equipment and ensure continuous and stable power grid supply. Alexey Portnov, Head of the Maintenance Management Department of the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant, stated that as a key battle in the final stage of the plant's 2026 major overhaul, this overhaul round has planned multiple major equipment upgrade projects, with key scope covering the comprehensive replacement of valves and piping components in the spray pond, as well as the comprehensive replacement of the original lens-type expansion joints with new bellows expansion joints in the service water system, thereby enhancing the system's pressure-bearing capacity and fatigue resistance life.

2026-09-27

Balakovo NPP in Russia Conducts Steam Generator O&M Experience Exchange and Technical Support

Recently, at the Balakovo NPP in Saratov Oblast, Russia, a peer support mission focused on steam generator (Steam Generators / Парогенераторы) O&M technology and experience was successfully held. This event was a routine technical exchange organized by the WANO Moscow Centre (WANO-MC / ВАО АЭС-МЦ), aimed at bringing together industry expertise from multiple parties to further enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear power unit operation. The team participating in this support mission was composed of technical backbone personnel from multiple industry organizations and nuclear power plants, including the World Association of Nuclear...

2026-09-24

Balakovo NPP Publishes 2025 Ecological Safety Report

Russia's Balakovo NPP released its 2025 ecological safety report on August 31, 2026. The report data show that the plant's operational activities comply with the requirements of sanitary, epidemiological, and environmental protection regulations. The report was presented in a roundtable format. Participants learned about the plant's ecological policy and the results of environmental monitoring studies, and exchanged views on relevant issues. Alexander Kurlov, head of the external radiation safety laboratory at Balakovo NPP, stated that before the plant's construction, the natural gamma background of the local area had to be measured and its upper and lower limits determined. Since the plant was put into operation, no exceedances of these limits have been recorded at the industrial site or in the surrounding areas.

2026-09-01

Balakovo NPP Completes Pre-Audit of Quality Management System

Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant in Russia recently completed a pre-audit of its quality management system, confirming its readiness to undergo the official certification audit within the year. The audit covered multiple international quality standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 9004, and ISO 19443. Balakovo NPP has previously conducted several audits in accordance with ISO 9001 with favorable results. This time, the plant will undergo audits against the ISO 9004 and ISO 19443 standards for the first time, making it one of the earlier nuclear power plants to be audited against these standards. The pre-audit is a key stage before the official certification audit, primarily aimed at assessing the plant's preparedness, checking the effectiveness of existing processes, documentation status, and staff understanding of the standard requirements...

2026-08-12

Balakovo NPP Conducts Special Traffic Safety Inspection Jointly with State Traffic Police

Balakovo NPP and the traffic administration recently conducted a joint preventive inspection aimed at improving road safety in the station area and preventing traffic accidents. The operation was carried out by experts from the NPP's transport workshop together with traffic police officers from the Balakovo City Police Department, as part of the annual safety inspection campaign. During the inspection, inspectors carefully checked compliance with traffic rules by vehicle drivers and pedestrians within the NPP premises. The results showed that no violations were detected, which fully reflects the high level of discipline and responsible attitude toward safety requirements demonstrated by Balakovo NPP employees and those of its contractors. The traffic police department stated that the main objective of such inspections is...

2026-08-04