Valery Zhemchugov, Acting Director of the Leningrad NPP, described the installation of the core catcher at Leningrad II-4 as a key milestone in the plant's development. The completion of the passive safety system was not only the first major component for the VVER-1200 reactor unit but also the first passive safety measure installed at the site. Zhemchugov highlighted the importance of the event, noting it was achieved three months before the original deadline. He added that quality standards were not compromised.
The core catcher, a vital safety system, is designed to contain the reactor core in an emergency. Constructed from thermally resistant steel and shaped like a cone, it is engineered to securely hold melted core material. It also prevents radioactive substances from escaping beyond the reactor's containment. The installation process took eight hours. The team ensured precision and adherence to quality protocols throughout.
Before arriving at the site, the core catcher traveled 2,000 kilometers by boat. That was a logistical undertaking that underscored the scale of the project. Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation overseeing the installation, confirmed the completion of the core catcher. That allows the team to begin preparations for the assembly of the reactor vessel. That key step is scheduled for 2029. It marks a significant phase in the unit's development.
Rosatom also reported that construction on the double containment building remains ongoing, alongside the installation of floors and other internal structures within the reactor building. Additional efforts are focused on setting up the various process and safety systems that are essential to the reactor's operation and the plant's overall safety framework.
Leningrad Plant and Regional Power Supply
The Leningrad nuclear power plant is among Russia's most important energy sources, with an installed capacity of 4,400 MWe. It plays a crucial role in powering the region, supplying over 55% of the electricity needs of St Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region. This accounts for nearly 30% of the total power consumed in northwest Russia, highlighting its strategic importance.
Units 1 and 2, which operated as RBMK-1000 reactors, were retired in 2018 and 2020 after long operational periods of 45 and 45 years, respectively. These closures coincided with the commissioning of new VVER-1200 units at the neighboring Leningrad II plant. These newer reactors are expected to operate for 60 years, ensuring a stable power supply until the 2080s, with the potential for a further 20-year extension beyond that.
Units 7 and 8, also referred to as Leningrad II-3 and Leningrad II-4, are being built to replace the existing units 3 and 4. Those existing units are reaching the end of their operational lifetimes. The first phase of construction for unit 7 was marked by the pouring of the first concrete in March 2024. Unit 8 began with the pouring of its first concrete in March 2025. These developments signal the ongoing modernization efforts at the Leningrad region's power infrastructure.