Leonid Bolshov, Director of Nuclear Safety Institute

– What was known by a small circle of professionals has now become general knowledge

Kursk Nuclear Power Plant has been awarded the annual ecological prize of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia “Best Ecological Project of the Year” in the “In Harmony with Nature” nomination.

If such information appeared in the pres 10 years ago, everybody would think that it was a fake as many people at that time still doubted the safety of nuclear reactors, especially the “Chernobyl-type” reactors – the ones operated by Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

By the way, the first units of Kursk NPP still operate the reactors of the first generation – unlike the reactors of Ignalina NPP, banned by the European Union despite being the most advanced reactors of this type. Due to active modernization, safety enhancement and ecological work, Kursk NPP has achieved very good results. I would like to note that some five years ago, as a preparation for EBRD projects, we carried out an international in-depth analysis of the safety of the 1st unit of Kursk NPP. And much to the surprise of the western party and some of the Russian experts, the survey had shown that there were no grounds for saying that Kursk NPP was worse or more dangerous than the other nuclear power plants of the same generation. So, what was known by a small circle of professionals has now become general knowledge. I am glad that the ecological community has also recognized this fact.

In this light, I think that everybody sees that Ignalina NPP is being closed for reasons that as far from ecological safety. The Lithuanian authorities have realized that they have done an irreversible thing and now are fighting for respite. I doubt that they will succeed. I can only regret for them and hope that Kaliningrad NPP will be built quickly enough not to leave the Lithuanians without energy for long.

As you may know, Kursk NPP has unfinished 5th unit. No final decision has been made on it yet. But there are lots of forces, particularly, the authorities of Kursk region, who are actively lobbying for the completion of this project.