Russia’s newest VVER-TOI nuclear reactor at the Kursk II nuclear power plant has generated more than 2 billion kWh of electricity since being connected to the grid in December, marking a major milestone for the country’s next-generation nuclear program.
The 1,250 MW reactor officially entered commercial operation on May 1 after completing pilot industrial operations and receiving approval from Russian regulator Rostekhnadzor on April 27.
The reactor is now supplying electricity to Russia’s Unified Energy System. Currently the most powerful nuclear unit in Russia, the unit is the first VVER-TOI reactor to begin commercial operations.
Rosatom said the new reactor has pushed the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant above 3,000 MW of operating capacity, placing it among the country’s largest nuclear facilities.
“Thanks to the VVER-TOI, the Kursk NPP has joined the ranks of Russia’s largest nuclear power plants, operating at over 3,000 MW. Every billion kWh contributes to energy independence, industrial development, and the comfort of tens of thousands of families,” said Kursk Nuclear Power Plant Director Alexander Uvakin.
The new Kursk II facility is being built near the existing Kursk nuclear power plant in western Russia, roughly 37.5 miles (60 km) from the Ukraine border.
The project is part of Russia’s long-term plan to replace the aging RBMK-1000 reactors operating at the original Kursk plant. The first of those older units shut down in December 2021 after 45 years of operation, while the second unit was retired in January 2024.
Although the RBMK reactors were originally designed for a 30-year operational lifespan, Rosatom extended their service life by 15 years through modernization and life-extension programs.
Construction of the first Kursk II reactor began in 2018. The reactor vessel was installed in June 2022, while concreting work on the outer dome was completed in August 2023.
Rosatom said more than 90,000 people, along with approximately 250 contractors and subcontractors, participated in the construction of the first unit.
The company is also building the second and third VVER-TOI units at the site, with plans for four reactors in total. Once completed, the full plant is expected to deliver 5,000 MW of generating capacity by 2034.
Before commercial approval, the first reactor underwent more than 1,500 tests covering the unit’s systems and equipment during its pilot industrial phase.
Rosatom describes the VVER-TOI as the latest evolution of Russia’s large light-water reactor technology.
According to the company, the reactor features upgraded pressure vessels, extended equipment lifespan, and a combination of active and passive safety systems.
The design also includes a core meltdown localizer intended to contain severe accident scenarios. Rosatom additionally said the reactor can operate using 100% mixed oxide fuel, or MOX fuel, which contains uranium and plutonium.
The Kursk II reactors are expected to fully replace the remaining older units at the nearby Kursk nuclear power plant, all of which are scheduled to shut down by 2031.
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Atharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.
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