Energoatom Concern: Meeting of deputy chief engineers for modernization

26.01.2009 // Information and PR Center of Energoatom Concern OJSC

Deputy chief engineers for modernization of Energoatom Concern met Jan 21–23 2009

The deputy chief engineers for modernization of all 10 nuclear power plants of Energoatom Concern met Jan 21–23 2009.

While opening the meeting the first deputy technical director for modernization and maintenance of Energoatom Concern OJSC Anatoly Kontsevoy pointed out that modernization and extension of the lives of the existing nuclear reactors was a vital task for Russia’s nuclear power industry. “Now that we are actively reforming the industry and are facing crisis situation in the economy we must intensify our work to modernize and to extend the lives of our reactors. Presently, the reactors whose lives have been extended produce 15% of total output of our NPPs and by 2015 this share is expected to grow to 60%,” Kontsevoy said.

The parties summed up the results of the Concern’s work to modernize its nuclear reactors in 2008 and outlined plans for enhancing the efficiency of modernization and life extension activities in 2009–2010.

The head of Modernization and Life Extension Department of Energoatom Concern Andrey Dementyev said that in 2006–2008 Energoatom Concern drafted investment projects to extend the lives of 12 reactors. 9 of the projects have already been approved by Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation.

In 2008 all of the Russian NPPs fully used the funds allocated for modernization and life extension. A total of 4.5bln RUR will be assigned for safety and modernization projects in 2009.

Each deputy chief engineer presented the specific problems of his plant and the work done to solve them. The parties exchanged experience and views concerning the resolution of complex technical and production problems.